Reject attempts to foment disunity, longhouse folk reminded
SIBU: Longhouse communities in Sarawak must not be easily influenced by outside elements that are out to see them disunited.
Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad pointed out that with the longhouse folk breaking apart, it would be difficult for the government to implement development initiatives, particularly in rural areas.
According to him, the Sarawak government has always been attentive to the needs of the rural people.
“The Chief Minister ( Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) himself has always emphasised development in the rural areas, as evident by the approval of many allocations and implementation of projects needed by the people in Sarawak, especially in the rural areas.
“As such, it is important for us to safeguard unity among the people, as well as ties with the Sarawak government, so that all development projects in the rural areas could be implemented smoothly,” he said in his address at the ‘ Social Community Engagement’ in Rumah Hudson Madut, Sungai Sebinjai here recently.
The programme, organised and run by Sibu District Office, was also attended by Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw, Sibu District Officer Suhaili Mohamed, Temenggong Stanley Geramong Bandar and longhouse chieftain Hudson Madut Mingat.
Adding on, Safiee said among the government’s ongoing key development projects are the provision of basic facilities especially electricity and water supply, to all longhouses across Sarawak.
According to him, the Ministry of Rural Electricity and Water Supply is targeting 100 per cent water and electricity supply for all the people in Sarawak by 2025.
“Based on the meeting with the Minister (of Rural Electricity and Water Supply), several (water) projects would be continued, especially those concerning supply, through Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (Sawas),” he said.
On electricity supply, Safiee said the Sarawak government would implement three key strategies under Sarawak Rural Electricity Master Plan to light up villages and remote longhouses throughout Sarawak.
He said this would involve Rural Electrification Scheme ( RES), Rural Power Supply Scheme ( RPSS) and Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares).
Prior to delivering his speech, Safiee officiated at the opening ceremony of the newlycompleted jetty and ‘ belian’ (ironwood) plank-walk at Rumah Hudson, which were built at a cost of RM100,000.
The project commenced in September last year.
Later, Safiee announced a government grant of RM3,000 for Rumah Hudson security and development committee(JKKK), as well as an allocation of RM80,000 under his Rural Transformation Programme ( RTP) grant for road upgrading works on the longhouse area this year.
Ahmad Johnie also announced grant of RM3,000 for JKKK Rumah Hudson.