Uggah: Rural traffic jam shows improved standard of living

BETONG: Traffic congestion in rural areas show that the people’s standard of living has improved, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

“The government does not give allocation for the people to buy car, do they? No. This shows that the standard of living of the people has improved,” he said during a Hari Raya celebration at Kampung Serembang in Saribas yesterday.

Uggah, who is also the Minister of Modern Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, also mentioned the difficulty faced by him and his entourage in getting to a wedding reception at the village due to the many cars parked along the road leading to the venue.

Addressing villagers during the celebration, which was also attended by Saribas | assemblyman Mohd Razi Sitam and village chief Kawi Dollah, Uggah said the government will continue to help improve the people’s income through a host of agricultural programmes.

“The villagers must do a dialogue with community leaders and also party leaders so that they know what sort of government assistances is available to help improve the standard of living of the rural society.

“We have many agriculture schemes including rubber, palm oil, swiftlets, pineapple and other planning,” he said, while urging the people to inform leaders regarding problems faced by the grassroots so that solutions can be worked out.

He also promised to look into the issue of high cost of electricity installation faced by the villagers, which was brought up by Kawi in the latter’s opening speech.

‘ Razi and I will discuss with Sarawak Energy over the application by the villagers to reduce the cost of home electricity installation.”