SIBU: Rural transformation that includes development projects such as the construction of more roads and bridges is all geared up for implementation now that the state government has RM1 billion set aside for that very purpose.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem disclosed this during an interview with Sarawak FM yesterday, conducted after the official opening of the ‘Sejiwa Senada’ programme at the town square here.
“We all know that there is less development in the rural areas than that in the urban areas, in terms of facilities.
“(It’s) not that there is no development, but it is still not enough. We want to transform the rural areas so that the gap between them and the urban areas could be narrowed further,” said the chief minister, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu.
Adding on, Adenan said it was for this very reason that he requested RM500 million for the rural areas, on top of the existing RM500 million, during the State Legislative Assembly sitting last December.
On the programme, which kicked off on Friday and ends today, Adenan was encouraged to hear that the turnout at the official opening yesterday reached more than 30,000 people – exceeding the initial target of 20,000.
He then said he hoped more people would come to the ‘Sejiwa Senada’ event, of which objective was to inform the people on the achievements and services of the government.
“Sejiwa Senada serves to tell the people what the government did, what is being done and what will be done.
“Many rural folk may not know about the development in their areas; so when we have exhibitions like this, they can see and hear about it for themselves.”
The ‘Sejiwa Senada’ here is the second leg of the programme after Miri, which has been deemed as ‘a very successful event’.
Other dignitaries who witnessed the opening yesterday were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani and his deputy Datu Misnu Taha, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin and Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf.-Borneo Post
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