‘Serian folk await proposed LRT, hydrogen buses’
SERIAN: The people here are hopeful that the proposed Light Rail Transit ( LRT) system connecting Kuching with Serian, as well as acquisition of hydrogen-powered buses for tourism purposes within these two divisions, will materialise soon to boost the local economy.
Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus said the announcements by state leaders have put high hopes and expectations among folks here.
“Apart from the LRT and hydrogen-run bus service, there was also the announcement of the construction of an iconic bridge as promised in the Pesta Birumuh 2017, and the setting-up of a durian processing and collecting centre to make Serian a durian hub.
“We are very, very excited with these announcements. We hope all these will materialise soon as it will definitely boost the economy of people in Serian,” he said yesterday.
John, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bukit Semuja branch chairman, said the branch had resolved to give full support to Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg to continue leading the state.
He said this was one of the four resolutions passed by the branch at its first- ever triennial general meeting (TGM) held on Saturday at Ranchan Multi-Purpose Hall.
The TGM was declared open by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is PBB acting deputy president.
John also mentioned that other resolutions passed include calling for the post of party president held by Abang Johari, and the two posts of deputy president currently held by Uggah and Datuk Amar
Apart from the LRT and hydrogen-run bus service, there was also the announcement of the construction of an iconic bridge as promised in the Pesta Birumuh 2017, and the setting-up of a durian processing and collecting centre to make Serian a durian hub. John Ilus, Bukit Semuja assemblyman
Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, to be uncontested in the coming PBB Convention scheduled for early next year.
“We also resolved to give full support to the policies and approach made by the chief minister, including reclaiming our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the push towards digital economy,” he said.
The TGM, which was attended by 253 delegates from 33 subbranches, saw John and Francis Lijas retained unopposed as chairman and deputy chairman, respectively.
Jenny Jita and Rokiah Abang Draee also retained their respective post as the women’s wing chief and deputy chief unopposed.
There was, however, contest for the youth chief post, which was won by Norman Baker after defeating Andy Ismail. The deputy youth chief post went to Mohd Mesra who was unopposed.
According to John, PBB Bukit Semuja now has 6,000 registered members including 1,500 who joined after the branch was launched in February this year.
The branch was previously only a protem committee following the creation of Bukit Semuja as one of the 11 new state seats contested in the 2016 state election.
John assumed the chairman post not long after he was admitted into PBB in August last year.
He contested and won the seat as a BN-direct candidate.
John also thanked neighouring PBB branches for helping PBB Bukit Semuja with the running of the TGM, which was attended by Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben and political secretary to the chief minister John David Nyauh.