UNDER the 2013 State Budget, the restructuring of all social and economic and long-term transformation programmes will ensure equal development throughout the state, and also provide better living standard, more investments and job opportunities to reduce the urban-rural gap.

This was revealed by Joseph Mauh Ikeh (BN-Tamin) in his debate for the 2013 State Budget at the DUN sitting, yesterday.

“Under the budget, a total of RM 1.407 billion is allocated for development while RM1.517 billion is for managing expenses to stabilise the state so that it remains strong,” he said, adding that there would be roads to be built, water and electricity supply of the people as well as aid and assistance for farmers, fishermen and needy families.

He suggested to the state government to train the locals in the usage of the GPS to expedite the perimeter survey on Native Customary Right (NCR) Land under the new initiative as he learnt that the perimeter survey process in Tamin was quite slow.

He said the estimated area of NCR land in the state was about 1.5 million héctares and if the perimeter survey work relied solely on the Land and Survey Department, the process would be slow.

“Engaging the services of the locals may ensure that the target set for completing the perimeter survey by 2015 can be achieved on time or earlier,” he added.

Mauh pointed out that SK Nanga Selangau would be facing the threat of floods, especially during raining season, as it located near Batang Mukah and Sungai Selangau.

“I hope the relocation of the school can be done in the soonest time.

“Besides, there is also an urgent need for a fire station in Selangau as the nearest fire station is in Sibu and it takes about one and a half hour to reach here. In the event of a fire, most longhouses will be burnt down completely by the time the fire engines and firemen arrive here:’ he said.

Mauh also requested for having community college in Selangau as most of the farming community in the area could not afford to send their children to public or private universities after they competed their secondary school education.

“Community college will be able to give rural children the opportunity to further their studies so that they can contribute towards the development of the Sarawak Corridor of

Renewable Energy (SCORE) in the future,” he explained.

He said another matter which required immediately action from the government was to increase the processing capacity of the palm oil mills in Tamin as many smallholders had to queue for hours from for their turn to send in their Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) for processing.

“Roads need to be built here to link the 10 longhouses in Nanga Arau, Ulu Mukah with Ulu  Pakoh, Sungai Bejait, Ulu Oya and Ulu Selangau. The road linking RumahTakin in Nanga Tajam to Nanga Tamin needs to be upgraded,” he added.

Lastly, Mauh requested for confirmation from the government on the commencement dates of the RM32.4 million water treatment plant project in Pekan Stapang and the RM4.5 million sports complex project in Selangau.

(Source:  Sarawak Tribune, 22 November 2012)