Abg Jo: Announcements of major projects no ‘hot air’
BETONG: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has taken to task critics who accused him of merely paying lip service over his announcements of development projects, especially the mega ones.
Saying they were not ‘ hot air’, he said it took time for the projects to be implemented as there were certain necessary procedures that needed to be followed.
“We need at least one or two years from preparing to tendering and awarding the tenders before the actual implementation can be carried out.
“I hope the people will bear with us,” he said at an all- community dinner here Monday night in conjunction with his visit to Betong Division.
Abang Johari said his announcements of the airport here and the electric bus project for Kuching were among those that had been questioned.
“But then we have just launched the electric bus for Kuching and we plan to get a few more plus the hydrogen type. Some people had been doubtful but the bus is there now. We too have placed the order for a Cessna transport aeroplane which can bring three containers to be used in the proposed Betong airport,” he said.
He added for the airport itself, a sum of RM101 million had been set aside.
“As long as the GPS government rules the state, all announced
We need at least one or two years from preparing to tendering and awarding the tenders before the actual implementation can be carried out. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
projects will be carried out,” he said.
He also said some RM650.3 million worth of development projects have been approved for Betong Division in the last two years, which include RM199.5 million for roads and RM102.4 million for water supply projects.
“Some of these projects had been or are currently being or will be implemented when the time is due,” he said.
Abang Johari also announced new projects worth RM33 million during the dinner, which include RM18.5 million for road and RM10 million for Betong flood mitigation projects.
He said they were vital as the division had great potentials for modern agriculture.
Later, Abang Johari presented letters of appointment to newly appointed community leaders.
They included Temenggong Richard Mulok Entring for the Iban community and Temenggong Piee Alwi for the Malay community.
In his speech earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah hoped the government could consider helping Betong to develop its tourism potentials.
“We have the Bukit Sadok which was the last bastion for Dayak Iban nationalist warrior Rentap in his fight against the Rajah Brooke rule.
“This is of great historic importance to us besides its scenic and pristine surroundings,” said Uggah.
He said with the state’s coastal trunk road expected to pass through Betong, Bukit Sadok would be of special attraction to visitors.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said he would consider appointing more community leaders to serve the fast growing population.
In addition, he pointed out that Betong needed affordable housing projects.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani were among those present.