Rural devt to gain momentum in 2019, assures Snowdan

KUCHING: Sarawakians can expect rural development to pick up momentum this year with better road access, as well as electricity and treated water supply for more rural communities.

Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan is hopeful as 2019 Sarawak Budget of RM11.9 billion can be regarded as being rural development-biased.

“This is our KRA ( Key Result Area) and I am also expecting ‘leap-frog’ improvements with our dilapidated schools for the benefit of school-going children.

“If we are able to conquer and achieve this, it would become our strength and trademark that would determine our destiny and dignity as a state,” said Snowdan, who is Balai Ringin assemblyman, in his New Year message issued yesterday.

He viewed 2018 as a ‘politically challenging time’ for Sarawak when Pakatan Harapan ( PH) won the 14th general election (GE14) and took over the federal government.

He was however glad that based on the spirit of consensus, Sarawak- based political parties were firm to go on without Barisan Nasional ( BN) – these parties had since formed Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“The parties managed to manoeuvre the state administration, creditably-led by our pragmatic, ever- able and diligent Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who, without fail, continues to shoulder the burden of the state better than expected.

“My fervent wish for Sarawakians in 2019 and thereafter, would be for them to be unified in one voice and one force in the pursuit of our sovereign rights in so far as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) agreement permits us. Let’s forget the political divide and become a single force towards this common cause,” he said.

As an assistant minister in charge of youths, Snowdan said he was expecting to sight some forms of business impact from various youth empowerment programmes launched by the ministry such as AZAM Kuching Youths Day Out 2018 (KYDO), What About Kuching ( WAK) 2018 and Sarawak Youth Day workshops.

On sports, he was also expecting new talents that could help Sarawak reach its goal of becoming a powerhouse in Malaysia Games ( Sukma) or in international arenas – naming diving queen Pandelela Rinong and world- class bodybuilders Buda Anchah as role models.

“Other sports such as athletics, cycling, archery and bowling are arenas where Sarawak could nurture its talents and ascend to victory,” he said.