Royal call for infra improvement
Agong wants federal, state govts to do more to improve infrastructure in Sarawak’s rural areas
I got to hear some of the grievances from the people as well as received le ers from them during my stop at various places that I visited…
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called on the federal and Sarawak governments to strengthen efforts to improve infrastructure in the state’s rural areas.
His Majesty said throughout his journey in Sarawak during the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ tour, he observed that Sarawakians in the interiors were still in need of basic amenities.
“I got to hear some of the grievances from the people as well as received le ers from them during my stop at various places that I visited, and they were like those of Pahang.
“One of the areas was Kampung Telagus (in Serian) which is lacking water supply facilities,” His Majesty said at the closing ceremony of ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ and dinner hosted by the Sarawak government here Tuesday.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said Sarawak’s development is a shared responsibility between the state and federal governments, which must play a more effective role in meeting the needs of the people.
“I would like to advise all the elected representatives to go and engage with the people, go and meet the people, and go and listen to the people on what they need,” His Majesty said.
He also gave his assurance that he would read all the le ers or petitions handed to him during the tour.
“We will study and present them to the federal government
Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah
as soon as possible. I will try my very best,” he said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said the tour served as an opportunity to build a new “bridge of friendship”.
“This ‘bridge’ has no river below it. It is a bridge of friendship and my family and I are representing the Malay Rulers and people of Peninsular Malaysia in extending our hands so we can be one big family in Malaysia.
“We must not have a barrier between us to prevent us from having a closer bond. We must strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the regions of Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia because as a country, we need to support one another,” said His Majesty.
In his speech, Al-Sultan Abdullah also reminisced on fond memories during the tour, particularly his first visit to a longhouse where he admired how the residents there live in a harmonious, mutual sharing concept.
“I visited the Raymond Plen longhouse (in Sebauh, Bintulu) and the people there were like a big family. It was really unique and the family spirit at the longhouse was very strong,” said His Majesty.
He said the spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (moving forward together) ought to be emulated across the country.
“Regardless of race and religious backgrounds, we can form a harmonious and spirit of solidarity if we are ready to put aside our differences.”
Al-Sultan Abdullah said during the tour, he had personally driven 2,192km from Tawau, Sabah on Sept 3 up to Kuching on Tuesday night, clocking in a total of 85 hours.
“My objective to come on this tour is to get to know Sabah and Sarawak because I would like to be closer with the people and learn about their livelihoods, while also witnessing for myself the development of both states.
“Throughout my journey, there were certain areas along the Pan Borneo Highway where it felt as though we were in Dubai, but then some areas also felt like we were on a rollercoaster.
Telok Melano will soon have a mosque named after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah.
To be named the Al-Sultan Abdullah Mosque, locals hope that the RM5 million mosque would not only become one of the landmarks in Telok Melano but also a tourist attraction for the area as well.
According to a notice put up at the venue during the earthbreaking ceremony yesterday, the inspiration for the mosque’s architecture was derived from that of ancient Malay mosques to reflect its location within the Malay Archipelago, or Nusantara.
Such architecture for mosques is commonly found throughout Nusantara, it said.
Once completed, the mosque – sited on 1.2 acres on the shores of the beach at Telok Melano – can accommodate up to 500 worshippers at one time.
The ceremony was graced by Al-Sultan Abdullah in conjunction with His Majesty’s visit to KM0 of the Pan Borneo Highway, at the conclusion of the 11-day ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ tour.
Among those present were acting Head of State Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.