Sg Assap folk thank Najib for fulfilled promise of extra land for farming

KUCHING: The resettlers at Sungai Asap in Belaga can finally sigh a huge relief because the government has approved RM76 million for an additional three acres of land for each family for farming and an additional allocation of RM9 million for building their farm access road.

According to Hulu Rajang incumbent Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, the allocation which was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his visit to Belaga not too long ago has been channeled to the state government.

“The prime minister has finally delivered what he promised, and as such, we would like to record our sincere thanks to him.

“The announcement made by the prime minister is timely as the people have been requesting for the extra piece of land for farming. With it, the resettlers can now plant commercial crops to enable them to have a more sustainable income,” Ugak said in his office here yesterday.

The more than 10,000 families who have resettled at Sungai Asap almost two decades ago after their longhouses were affected by the mammoth Bakun hydroelectric power ( HEP) dam, have been demanding that the three acres of land allocated to each family be increased.

The prime minister visited Sg Asap in Jan 2011 and has promised to do something about their request.

“After seven years, the allocation is finally here. I can say the people are truly appreciative,” said Ugak.

On another pressing issue, Ugak called on the government to station more security personnel such as the army and police at Bakun and Murum dams to protect them against any negative elements.

“We should learn from the Lahad Datu intrusion by the Suluk terrorists a few years ago. Before any untoward incident happen to our two main sources of power, we have to put in place enough security personnel there,” he said.

On a related issue, Ugak hoped that the Ministry of Tourism would seriously look at how best to promote Bakun and Murum lakes for tourism- related activities to benefit the local people.

“The tourism potential of both lakes is enormous. Thus, we hope that the federal and state tourism authorities can do something in order to increase the income of the people who have sacrificed their homes for the construction of the two dams.”

Commenting on the BN manifesto, Ugak said the national and state manifestos complement each other, that would address all strata of our society. It’s a well thought pledge by the government to improve the people’s wellbeing.

“The A to Z of the people’s needs are addressed. As a rural constituency, the people of Hulu Rajang which is as big as the whole of Pahang, will also benefit,” added the one-term MP.

The Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituency consists of three state seats of Baleh, Belaga and Murum.