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18th June 2006
Highlands potential in the hands of Ba'Kelalan's
constituents: CM
By Philip
Kiew
Monday, May 15th,
2006
LONG SEMADOH: The government is ready to proceed with the
proposed highlands development plan under the Agropolis
concept proposed by Lun Bawang
and Kelabit intellectuals.
But the fate lies in the hands of their countrymen in Ba’Kelalan constituency.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said he personally
would like the Agropolis concept to flourish with
the acceptance of the electorate on a united platform, under the BN flagship.
And they should avoid bickering among themselves.
“I am sad some projects in Tatau
or Mukah are hindered because the people are being
instigated and as a result nobody is benefiting,” he said in Long Semadoh yesterday, flying in by helicopter from Limbang.
Saying that the visit gives him a wonderful opportunity to see
changes in the highlands, he said there is much to be done.
Paying tribute to the late Assistant Minister of
Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato
Dr Judson Sakai Tagal who was the first Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, Taib
said he was one of a few leaders who foresaw the benefits of the modern
approach to accelerate productive land development in the State.
Taib urged the people
of Ba’Kelalan to give their full support to
the BN representatives to unleash the highland development potential, which
has been earmarked by the government.
Lun Bawang and Kelabit
intellectuals had come up with the highland development proposal under the Agropolis plan, which was presented to Taib at a seminar in Miri
earlier this year.
“I’m happy that the intellectuals have done that
and I support the Agropolis plan, but for it to
succeed, everyone must be united and work together as a family or else it
will spook investors even with road infrastructure available,” he said.
This is a very important aspect which can make or break the
proposed development plans.
“People with money can make friends easily and they will
invest only in places where they feel secure of the returns. Sarawak has to compete
with China or India for this
investment to accelerate her development plans,” he said.
Taib said the
highlands and Rejang basin were the two last
frontiers for development by the BN government which was initially
handicapped by lack of funds, and had to be accorded lower priority due to
the geographical challenges.
Attention is now focused on these two regions for development
under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to enable the people to benefit from the
respective development.
Taib paid tribute to Ba’Kelalan first state assemblyman, the late Dato Dr Judson Sakai Tagal, for
being among the first few leaders who were aware of the need for modern land
development to spur development.
He said this concept has been proven successful by the Penans of Suai, led by Datuk Hassan Sui and his group of 150 Penan
participants in the NCR oil palm scheme which is churning out a RM500,000 turnover monthly.
“Datuk Hassan
has been jokingly telling the Miri Resident that
the latter’s salary is inferior to the incomes of his Penan participants, and for that matter I think the
income is more than that of the Chief Minister and cabinet ministers in Sarawak,” he
quipped. He said the people of Ba’Kelalan and
Sarawak can take a leaf from this success.
Earlier BN candidate for Ba’Kelalan,
Nelson Balang Rining, who
is seeking re-election urged all the voters to be
united and stand behind the BN government led by the Chief Minister, who has
spearheaded the transformation in every corner of the State.
This would facilitate the highlands’ development,
particularly under the Long Semadoh Rural Growth
Centre that involves the Agropolis for the
highlands up to the Bario.
“It is important to stand behind the BN and continue the
development agenda,” Taib said.
The Lun Bawangs
and Kelabits turned up in droves to welcome the
Chief Minister and entourage, with the bamboo band attired in the colorful
costumes of the local community and banners.
Among those present at the function were Deputy Chief Minister
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri
Alfred Jabu Numpang,
Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk
Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Datuk William Mawan Ikom, Bukit
Mas Member of Parliament Henry Sum Agong and community leaders.
Son of the late Dato Dr Judson Sakal, Dr Julian Judson; his grandfather Tagal Paran; his uncle and
former Bukit Mas Member
of Parliament Mutang and others were also present
at the function.
(Contributed by:
Miri Resident, Ose Murang)
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