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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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