Adenan looks at some exhibits on display at Mais Complex. Accompanying him are Jabu and Mais president Datuk Nellie Tanggai (right).
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will be seeking an additional RM500 million grant from the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), which starts tomorrow, for rural development.
He said the additional money would be for building of roads, piped water supply and electricity supply in the rural areas across the state.
“This is one of the programmes the state government wants to implement for the rakyat, especially those in rural areas. However, though we have many programmes in mind, they cannot all be implemented within one year.
“Give me five more years. I’m seeking for your assistance not because of me but because I want to improve the rural areas. To prove it, I’ve got the money to do it,” he said when officiating at the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (Mais) Complex and Sarawak Bumiputera Court yesterday.
Adenan signing the plaque to officiate Mais Complex, as Jabu looks on.
Present were Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and his wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dato Sri Michael Manyin.
In the year since becoming the chief minister, Adenan said the state had undergone a number of improvements, such as the lowering of electricity tariffs, including that for commercial and industrial use that will start this month.
“By this year end, we may not have to pay for toll as I have discussed with the relevant companies to reduce toll charges or abolish them completely.
“So far, I have had a successful negotiation with one of the companies, and there will be announcement on this by June.”
Adenan also said he was looking into standardising the charges of ferry fares in the state.
“Most ferry fares are priced at RM1, but there are certain areas where motorists have to pay between RM10 and RM15 per crossing.
“We will negotiate this so that all ferry fares in Sarawak are reduced to only RM1,” he said, and called on the people to back him up so that he could continue to speak on their behalf.
On the new Mais Complex and Sarawak Bumiputera Court, Adenan said the buildings were established to preserve the customs of Bumiputeras in the state.
“When we were under British rule, they recognised us as people with customs, hence the reason they established the Native Court.
“As Sarawakians, whether we are Malay, Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh, Kelabit and so on, we are a civilised community who are aware of our cultures. As such, we should not be ashamed of our customs.”
Adenan remarked that Sarawakians are “one of the most civilised people on earth” and that they should be proud of who they are and not look down on themselves.
“Our multi-racial community have long lived in peace and harmony. We can all work towards developing Sarawak. So keep it up. Be proud to be Sarawakians. Be proud to be Malaysians.”