Big development boost for Marudi
Abang Johari announces RM300 million allocation for transformation projects in the constituency
Beluru has been upgraded into a district but there is no administration office so far. Hence, I am allocating RM5 million for it to be built.
LONG LAPOK: Villages in the Baram constituency, especially those under Marudi, can expect better days ahead through various transformation projects set to be launched as early as this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said those living in rural areas deserve the same access to roads, electricity and clean water as their urban counterparts.
In announcing nearly RM300 million worth of projects for Marudi constituency during a visit here yesterday, he said it included new administrative offices for Beluru district and Lapok subdistrict, as well as upgrading of roads in a number of areas.
“Beluru has been upgraded into a district but there is no administration office so far. Hence, I am allocating RM5 million for it to be built.
“The same goes for Lapok sub- district – RM5 million for a new administrative office,” he told a crowd of over 2,000 when officiating at the new SMK Tinjar school hall here yesterday.
He said a sum of RM33.6 million has been approved to upgrade roads in Long Tabing, Long Teran, Long Jegan and Long Tisam, and a further RM16.2 million for the same purpose in Sungai Peking, Sungai Sebubu, Sungai Nyirok, Lubok Mulong, Long Merigam and Long Maro.
He also announced RM2 million would go towards tar-sealing the road to longhouses along the Beluru-Long Lama road.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
However, the biggest news was the approval of RM70 million for Phase 2 of the project to supply clean water from Lapok to Sungai Seruas.
Meanwhi le, Abang Johari also announced allocations to build or upgrade churches here, including a multi-purpose hall for Lapok Roman Catholic Church ( RM250,000); upgrading of Lapok Tua Pek Kong temple (RM170,000); construction of Borneo Evangelical Church ( BEM) Bukit Lapok ( RM200,000); construction of St Anthony Church Sungai Bain ( RM250,000); and upgrading of St Mary’s Chapel Sungai Sebubu ( RM150,000).
On SMK Tinjar’s hall which has yet to have its walls and stage, the chief minister said he has approved RM600,000 for the purpose.
“Apart from that, I am also approving RM600,000 for a running track to be built in this school.
“It will surely produce upcoming stars in sports like our footballer Joseph Kalang Tie. And this running track can be shared among schools here,” he added.
Other projects announced yesterday were RM4.5 million for the building of a new community hall in Lapok; RM15 million for a mini sports complex in Beluru; and RM6 million to supply clean water to Sungai Buri.
At the same event, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, who is Marudi assemblyman, said Beluru, Lapok and other surrounding areas were definitely behind in terms of development and basic infrastructure.
Some people are saying ‘We are loyal to Abang Jo’. You cannot be loyal to me. You must be loyal to Sarawak. That is the first thing.
MARUDI: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has vowed to defend Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) against what he called ‘hypocrites’ who pledge support for him but at the same time try to break apart the coalition.
In a highly- charged speech during the launching of Marudi Waterfront at Marudi Town Square yesterday, he said he is currently monitoring the situation and would take action against the perpetrators.
“Some people are saying ‘We are loyal to Abang Jo’. You cannot be loyal to me. You must be loyal to Sarawak. That is the first thing.
“In our party, we will have to check the good and bad. I will take time to evaluate and when the time comes, I will decide what we are going to do. But, (for now) we monitor. We don’t want termites in GPS,” he stressed.
Abang Johari, who did not specifically mention any particular group, added that if this group’s activities were left unchecked, it would bring down GPS as the group is alleged to be
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
carrying out activities detrimental to the unity of the coalition.
Adding on, he said he would not be taking action based on emotion as he had no problem with those who disagree with him for the good of the party.
“You know my political career has spanned over 40 years. I will not jump at people who disagree with me. I am a party person. The party is more important than me.”
He went on to stress the need for unity within GPS in order for the coalition to be able to stand up for Sarawak’s rights, saying the presence of ‘ termites’ would only jeopardise efforts to fight for Sarawak’s future.
“We don’t want termites in GPS. If you have termites, the whole house will fall down. The moment the house falls, that will mean the end of us.
“You cannot say ‘ I support Abang Jo’ but at the same time, you try to pit people against each other in GPS. We cannot tolerate that.”
Meanwhile, in his speech earlier, Abang Johari said he was pleased to note that Marudi town is no longer isolated following the completion of the Miri- Marudi road.
He also believed the proposed waterfront project would further beautify the town’s landscape and insisted that the RM23 million project is a proof of GPS’ commitment to the people.
“The PH ( Pakatan Harapan) government is ‘buruk siku’ – they approved the project but then (later) they cancelled it.
“If they want to cancel more projects, go ahead. We are no longer dependent on them to develop Sarawak,” he said, and cited the RM75-million Marudi Bridge as another cancelled federal government project which has been taken over by the Sarawak government.
“The federal government has no money.
“We have the money. In the past, we didn’t have access to our oil and gas money.”
He then showed the audience a piece of paper which he said was a list of development projects requested by the people of Baram, totaling about RM300 million.
“No problem; all approved. We have the money. We have the petroleum taxes money and that money would be used to improve the people’s living quality,” he said.
Among those present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and PRS vice president Majang Renggi.