Chief Minister worried over rise in cyber gambling, drug abuse, wants police to come down hard on culprits
Adenan presents duit raya to the less fortunate. Behind him is Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.
LIMBANG: Concerned about cyber gambling and drug abuse in northern region of the state, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem wants the police to wipe the affected areas clean.
The Chief Minister said he would speak to state police chief Datuk Wira Muhammad Sabtu Osman soon to halt this social scourge in its tracks.
“I will talk to the police commissioner on how to tackle this issue, including making arrests and seizing computers,” he told some 3,000 people at a Hari Raya gathering at Limbang Civic Centre yesterday.
Earlier, Limbang MP Hasbi Habibolah spoke of the need to crack down on cyber gambling and drug abuse as they had become prevalent in many parts of the state, including here.
On the CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) at the Malaysia-Brunei border, Adenan said he would speak to state Immigration Department director Datuk Robert Lian soon to resolve congestion problems on the Malaysian side of the CIQ.
He said there was a need to address the congestion problems quickly as it had a direct bearing on Limbang’s economy. More efficient clearance of visitors at the CIQ would mean more people travelling to Limbang, he said.
Before leaving here, Adenan summoned the police and Immigration Department representatives to Limbang Airport to impress upon them on his firm stand on crimes and immigration issues plaguing Limbang.
Adenan was in Brunei to attend the Sultan’s 68th birthday celebration before coming here. It was his first trip to the sultanate since being appointed the state’s chief executive on Feb 28 this year, succeeding Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is now the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Adenan said he received a lot of feedback on immigration issues and demand for food and fruits by the sultanate from Limbang during his visit in Brunei.
“For as long as Brunei is prosperous, the people of Limbang will also partake in her prosperity as thousands cross over to
Limbang during weekends.”
On another matter, Adenan said projects already approved by Taib for Limbang and other parts of the state would be implemented as planned.
In addition, he said he would discuss with the relevant elected representatives on projects that were still in the pipeline.
Earlier, Hasbi and Bukit Kota assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail highlighted the need for Limbang to have more basic infrastructure facilities to, among others, spur economic activities, such as commercial-scale paddy plantation schemes.
They also expressed their concerns over projects that had been approved but yet to be implemented.
Hasbi suggested the government proceed with the paddy scheme, pending implementation of the proposed Limbang hydroelectric dam, which could also regulate the flow of Limbang River.
During the Hari Raya gathering, the event organiser surprised Adenan’s wife, Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, with a birthday cake. Jamilah’s birthday falls on Aug 14.
Present were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip, Assistant Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi, and Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang.