New projects in the offing for Serian
SERIAN: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to announce new projects for Serian Division when he comes to launch the Pesta Birumuh 2017 here on April 1.
According to Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Serian Division needed to do more catching up in order to be on par with other administrative divisions in Sarawak.
He said a meeting took place recently between him, Serian Resident and the district officer to discuss the new projects needed for Serian.
“I believe that on April 1, during the Pesta Birumuh, the chief minister will announce those new projects,” he said when officiating at a dinner hosted by Serian community leaders at Dewan Masyarakat Serian on Friday.
On Pesta Birumuh 2017, Manyin said it would be the third festival organised after the inaugural one in 2009.
The second Pesta Birumuh in 2015 was fondly remembered for the moment when the previous chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced the elevation of Serian district into Sarawak’s 12th administrative division.
Manyin said during this year’s event, there would be an earthbreaking ceremony for Serian Division administrative complex and convention centre to be performed by Abang Johari.
The chief minister will also launch the annual international remote control boat race at Taman Tasik Danu here.
“It was the late Tok Nan (Adenan) who launched the Serian Division administration centre and town extension project last year. When completed, this project will change the landscape of Serian as there will be more government offices, as well as 250 new shoplots and 500 residential lots.
“As for the new convention centre, it will be able to accommodate more than 2,000 people, or 200 tables for a function. This present one (Dewan Masyarakat Serian) will be demolished,” he said.
On another matter, Manyin who is also Tebedu assemblyman, said rural development would continue since all assemblypersons representing rural areas were allocated RM5 million annually under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) to carry out various projects.
He said the RTP, which was started by the late Adenan in 2015, would still be carried out to narrow the development gap between rural and urban areas in Sarawak.
“It was through the RTP allocation that we managed to build and upgrade village halls, build and repair village roads and so on. In Serian, we still have a lot of catching up to do.
“Villages here are well connected by roads, most villages enjoy electricity supply and many get treated clean water. But this is still ‘bayuh sade’ (not enough) as there are still many villages which do not get telephone coverage and do not get to enjoy fast internet speed.
“Therefore, let us all work together to ensure Serian is no longer lagging behind. If (the neighbouring) Kuching Division is already fast developing, then Serian should be fast developing as well,” he said.
Serian Resident Jonathan Lugoh and Serian Bidayuh Temenggong Henry Bujang Sadok also spoke at the dinner, which was held to welcome new government officers to Serian and to give appreciation to former officers and retiring community leaders and village chiefs.
Also present at the dinner were Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, a political secretary to the chief minister John David Nyauh, Serian district officer Lim Hock Meng, Tebedu district officer Raymond Achen and former Serian Resident Dahim Nadot.
I believe that on April 1, during the Pesta Birumuh, the Chief Minister will announce those new projects. — Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister