Kanowit indie George Chen says has big plans to develop constituency
SIBU: Independent candidate George Chen said he has drawn up a big and attractive development plan which he would implement to transform Kanowit if he wins the seat this election.
The 60-year-old social activist cum lecturer said he would look for sufficient funds to complete the earth-breaking project of the ferry that links Kanowit to SMK Sedaya to facilitate better transportation and convenience for all the residents of Mapai, Bawang, Bidai and Jih.
“The project has been delayed for more than 10 years and we really need to get it done so that Kanowit can move forward,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
Chen dismissed the misconception that independent MPs cannot do much to bring development to their respective constituencies.
“As far as the parliamentary rules are concerned, independent MPs will also be allocated with the same amount of development funds in the constituency.”
Chen said he would also divide the funds equally to bring development to Machan and
Ngemah, which are the two state constituencies under Kanowit parliamentary constituency.
He claimed that presently, all allocations of development funds for Kanowit were focused on certain areas and this had caused dissatisfaction among the people.
Chen said he would also demand for special funds from the federal and state governments to construct a new hawker centre at the riverfront.
“I will work to stimulate the economy and attract more professionals all over the country to give ideas on how to improve on the abundance of land in Kanowit.
“I will also convince parliament to allocate funds to improve not only the tourism sector but also bring in the light industries from Taiwan, China, India and Vietnam to stimulate Kanowit’s economy, create job opportunities and improve the living standard.”
Chen also pledged to look into the issue of local folks not having identification cards or birth certificates.
“A lot of people in Kanowit are without any identification status. If elected, I will work together with the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant authorities to immediately assist those stateless people.
“Without an identification card, these people have been deprived of their rights to even open a bank account or other facilities that the government has been providing or subsidising.
“Furthermore, if they are sick, they are not able to seek medical help or treatment from the general hospital because they are stateless.
“If they like to do so, they have to pay RM100 registration fee and medical fees even in the hospital because they will be treated as foreigner.
“That will be a further burden to their families,” he said.
Chen also pledged to speak out bravely and fight for the restoration of Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
This will be Chen’s third attempt in an election. He stood as an independent candidate in the 2011 and 2016 state elections but lost on both occasions.
Kanowit, with 30,899 registered voters, will see a five-cornered fight in this parliamentary election.
Besides Chen, the other candidates are incumbent Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang of Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Mohd Fauzi Nyambong @ Joseph Usit of Pakatan Harapan, and two other independent candidates Dr Elli Luhat and Michael Lias.