BETONG: Sarawakian, be they from the urban or rural areas, should be thankful to the State Barisan Nasional (BN) government and give it their full support in the coming general election, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu Numpang.

He said this was because the BN had undertaken various development programmes for the benefit of the people and to ensure that these effort were uninterrupted, they should continue to support the BN.

“As an example, Ulu Layar area used to be communicable only by river but now it can be reached by road. This stimulates economic activities resulting in better standard of living for the resident,” he said at a meet-the-people session at Rumah Lanyau Jembu, Nanga Linsum, Ulu Layar, near here on Sunday evening.

Jabu, who is also the Minister of Modernisation od Agriculture and Rural Development, said that construction of new roads in the area late boost their agriculture and agropolitan projects.

“As such, I urge you not to be influenced by the Opposition on land issues. The land owners need to take a long term view on their land for their own benefits,” he urged.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief presented land compensation totalling RM4,270,683 to 91 landowners whose pieces of land were acquired by the government for three  rural raod projects in the district.

The three projects were Jalan Nanga Linsum,Mara, Melanjan, Jelang, Luing and Kerapa (20km) Jalan Mara, Selangking, Kerapa, Luing and Temedak (16km) and Jalan Luing, Gerugu, Penyuin, Ijok and Muman(10km).

According to Bakri Samsudin, a representative from the Betong Lands and Survey Department, the three road projects helped in the development of the area.

From 2008 to 2011, he added, the government had paid out land compensation totaling RM15,312,330 to 3,176 landowners involving  49 projects.

“Six more development projects in the division will be carried out and another 197 landowners  will receive their respective land compensation amounting to RM11,527,968,” he disclosed.

Bakri urged those affected by the projects to give their fullest cooperation to the government.

Also present at the function were Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Betong MP, Assistant Minister of Welfare Robert Lawsan Chuat, who is also Bukit Saban Assemblyman, Betong Resident Datu Romie Sigan Daniel, government officers and community leaders.

(Source: The Sarawak Tribune, 10 January 2012)