KAPIT: Member of Parliament for Hulu Rajang, Wilson Ugak Kumbong declared open two steel bridges project that connected the Ionghouse of Rumah Gendang Anak Sugit and SK Stapang, Gaat in Baleh areas recently.

In his remark at a dialogue session held to coincide with the function, Ugak told that the two steel bridges projects proved that the government cared for the needs of the people.

The BN government is listening to the wish of the people and will provide them with all infrastructures needed to uplift the livehood of the rural community. As your elected people’s representative I am doing my best to speak in Parliament to address all your grievances and needs such as communication towers at strategic places to enhance cove rage, the roads access from Ng Mujong to Ng Gaat, roads access from Ng Mujong to Ng Melinau, schools infrastructures for rural schools, treated water supply, better health care facilities with more doctors, hospital beds and upgraded facilities for Kapit and Belaga hospitals,” said Ugak.

He assured that more basic infrastructures and basics amenities development were in the pipeline for Baleh and Belaga and other economic developments for Sungai Gaat areas such as rubber plantations as the area had been covered under the government’s new initiatives of perimeter survey.

Ugak pointed out that the relevant government agencies would only come to invest when their NCR lands had been surveyed and called on the people to take opportunity from the RM50 million government grant under the 2014 budget for the perimeter survey of NCR land as announced by the Prime Minister recently.

He called on community leaders and the people in Hulu Rajang to work closely together with him so that developments could progressed faster to be at par with those in other areas and welcome suggestions and recommendations from the people on how to improve their livehood and living standard for the better.

On other matter Ugak reminded parents on the importance of education and keep track on all their children activities to prevent them from getting involved in social and immoral activities that may destroy their future.

With all the facilities being planned, I urged all parents who used to rent rooms in town in the pretext of sending their children to school to change their stand and go back to schools nearest to them,” he said.

He added that by doing so would save them money and at the same time avoid social problems that might arise in towns . He also explained that schools in rural areas would be shut down due to shortages in pupils’ enrollment if the trend continued.

Later at the function Ugak also witnessed the appointment of Thai Rumah Gendang as the new longhouse chief to replace his ageing father who is now 75 years old.

He congratulated Tuai Rumah Gendang on his appointment and wished him all the best in his undertakings as a new ‘Tuai Rumah’ to serve the community in his longhouse to the best of his ability.

Among those present at the function were Sarawak Administrative Officer HollisTimbang representing Kapit Residen Sarawak Administrative Officer Keron
Mapus on behalf of Kapit District Officer, community leaders namely Pemanca David Dian Langkau, Penghulu Bunsu Gerinang, Penghulu Salang Batang, representative of the various government agencies, BN component political party members, village headmen from Sungai Gaat areas and some 300 longhouse folks and invited guests.

(Source:  Sarawak Tribune, 6 December 2013)