Razi wants govt to develop agro park in Saribas

THE Sarawak government has been urged to develop an agro park in Saribas to encourage the development of modern farming in the constituency.

Razi Sitam ( PBB- Saribas) said this is in line to the vision of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to make Betong as the state’s Food Basket.

“The villagers and longhouses folk in Saribas have a lot of lands including their Native Customary Rights ( NCR) lands which have the potential to be developed,” said Razi during his debate on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s address at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

He said the setting-up of an agro park in Saribas would become part of the chain to the Bukit Sadok Agropolitan Project and the Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan ( TKPM) Debak which were approved recently.

Among the promising products that can be included in the Saribas agro park are pineapples, coconut, durian, banana to complement the existing commodity products such as palm oil and pepper.

On another note, he said the construction of coastal roads in Sarawak should be given priority as it is able to spur the state’s economy. The building of bridges across rivers such as Sungai Samarahan, Batang Sadong, Batang Saribas, Sungai Krian and Batang Lasa should be continued.

“We also hope that the federal government will continue to fund these development projects,” he added.

To further enhance the development of the state’s coastal areas, Razi suggested that a Coastal Development Authority be formed as an agency to plan and carry out the development programmes effectively.

During the debate, Razi also hailedtheOilMining(Amendment) Ordinance 2018 which gives the state exclusive rights to manage the state’s oil and gas resources.

The revenues from the oil and gas will be able to enhance the state’s infrastructure projects as well as providing jobs to the locals, he said.