ALI Biju (PKR-Krian) has suggested that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem consider changing or loosening the policy on allocation of minor rural project (MRP) fund, which is currently only given to Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives in the state.
Considering Sarawak had become a model state for ‘Unity in Diversity’ in the country, Ali believed that the opposition elected representatives should also be given MRP fund, similar to the move by the Selangor and Penang state governments.
“Fair administration, especially in channelling of MRP fund by the state government will be respected and acclaimed by the people from all walks of life.
“The most important thing is that the people can together enjoy the richness in the state fairly regardless of political affiliation,” the state PKR vice chairman said in his debate on the speech by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Ali said while he understood that his suggestion might be difficult to be implemented, but with the discretion of the chief minister and the concern shown by him to the people, he hoped his recommendation would be given due consideration.
“We (PKR) always support the government policies that are beneficial to the people. In reality, we must understand that without funding it is difficult to give satisfactory service to the people.
“From my experience after four years becoming an elected representative with the allowance of RM22,500 a month, it is still not sufficient although every single sen of the allowance is given to provide service and assistance to the people of Krian.”
On another matter, Ali said the first phase of the road upgrading works in Ulu Awik and Ulu Krian had been completed but only half of the overall project was included and the remainder was not done.
“The prime minister, when he visited Saratok in 2011, announced and approved a project to tar Ulu Awik and Ulu Krian roads. Therefore, the local people are still waiting for the project to be completed.”
In Krian, Ali said a longhouse, Rumah Ibi, in Nanga Ibus was still not connected with road although the ground-breaking ceremony to construct the road was conducted three times in the last 10 years every time there was an election.
“What is more saddening is that the villagers of Rumah Ibi have to use small boats for a return trip to Roban Town through Sengai Seblak that is very popular with vicious crocodiles.
“Within the last few years, there were five cases of villagers living along Sungai Seblak who fell victim to the vicious crocodiles.”
What surprised him, he said, was that Saratok District Council had RM29 million in its savings as of December 2013 but there was no adequate allocation given to build the road to Ruman Ibi.
Meanwhile, Ali said the Sesco tar-sealing road project called Jalan Meroh Ulu Paku/Nanga Alum Grenjang/Pakan that was supposed to done in 2010 was not completed, adding that only Jalan Pakan to Ulu Budu had been tar-sealed so far, while the works on the road from Ulu Budu and Ulu Paku had not started.
“Works to tar-seal Jalan Engkudu is in progress and the other roads that need to be tar-sealed are Jalan Klua-Sungai Antu, Jalan Ulu Budu, Jalan Nanga Drau, Jalan bajau-Abu Bengang and Jalan Babang.”