Minister committed to resolving issues affecting rural S’wakians
LAWAS: Works Minister Baru Bian is committed to resolving any issue affecting the rural areas of Sarawak by forming networks of cooperation between his ministry and non- governmental organisations ( NGOs).
The Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman said through networking with these NGOs, he would continue to bring in development, including that of basic amenities, to the rural areas as he understood the needs of the rural population.
Baru said as the only full minister from Sarawak in the federal cabinet, he was aware of his responsibility of bringing progress and prosperity to Sarawak, including the rural areas.
“I am also from the interior of Sarawak and because of that, I understand the issues and challenges facing our people in the interior of Sarawak,” he said when launching a hydro-electricity system in Puneng Trusan here recently.
Puneng Trusan in Long Semadoh, located in the highland areas here, is one of 11 villages that have benefitred from the hydroelectricity system constructed through donations harnessed by local NGO, Barefoot Mercy.
“This is an important thing because it was a collaboration between Barefoot Mercy and myself, since I won in Ba Kelalan in 2011 (state election). Electricity or hydro (electricity) is an important basic facility. It is a necessity for people in the interior of Sarawak.
“To me, this is important, very basic things that we need, besides raising issues about dilapidated schools and clinics or hospitals in the interior of Sarawak,” said Baru, thanking Barefoot Mercy and other NGOs that had been working with him even when he was still in the opposition.
Commenting further, Baru said he would continue such collaboration to develop the rural areas further not only for electricity, but also roads and clean water supply.
“I will share with several ministers in charge including Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun, who is responsible for the development of rural areas including the interior of Sarawak.
“In addition, I will also share with other ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture and AgroBased Industry, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and all these ministers – I will bring together to the interior of Sarawak. It is important that they understand the challenges we face in Sarawak,” he added.
At the event, Baru also informed that his ministry had agreed on the construction of Sarawak-Sabah link road connecting Upper Baram in Miri to Limbang and Long Semadoh here.
“A federal road will be developed connecting Long Lama to Long Seridan to Ulu Limbang to Long Luping and directly to Lawas and Sipitang, Sabah. From Long Luping, there will be a ‘spur road’ into the Long Semadoh area, to Ba Kelalan and Bario. And from Long Semadoh, there will also be a spur road connecting (to) Long Pasiak,” he disclosed.
On the overall cost of the construction of Sarawak- Sabah link road, Baru said it had yet to be determined.
“We are in the midst of conducting the survey and appointing a consultant to perform the task; only after that we can provide the cost that should be used to implement this project,” he said.
Baru believed that road link would spur the growth of many economic activities.
“Tourism in our areas will flourish. With that, I encourage us to prepare our areas and villages by providing homestays and planting a variety of cash crops. For me, Puneng Trusan, Long Telingan and Long Semadoh areas, I know that pineapple is a unique thing from these areas and I would like to encourage us to continue with pineapple cultivation as it is one of the things that we want to promote.
“My goal is to have one village, one product – product that is unique to that particular area and one that we can promote,” he said.
Baru commended the Sarawak government for declaring Limbang and Lawas as cattle-rearing areas.
He also disclosed that the federal government would plan to develop Ba Kelalan into a new organic products production district.
“Meaning to say, whatever we produce and mark as organic, either vegetables, fruits, or it could be cattle, we can sell it anywhere in the world,” he added.