Entri presenting BR1M vouchers to one of the recipients.
MIRI: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s decision to slash the ferry crossing fare from RM15 to only RM1 starting July 1 is an indication that rural Sarawakians can count on him to deliver on his rural development agenda.
Starting July 1, travellers and the local communities will only pay RM1 instead of RM15 for ferry crossing to reach Marudi and Long Lama, a welcomed savings which means a lot to rural folks in Baram.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmers Organisation) and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri said this in his speech at the presentation of BR1M vouchers to 817 people at Beluru community hall yesterday.
“He walks the talk and you can count on him (Adenan) for rural development in meeting the aspirations and needs of the people,” he said.
Entri said Adenan had also given the nod for the construction of Long Lama Bridge to allow the people to reach the clinic on the other side.
He added that the allocation of the lion share of funds in the state budget, keeping religious bigots out of Sarawak and a slew of other initiatives by Adenan proved his commitment of walking the talk in uplifting the rural socio-economic landscape.
“In contrast, you can’t count on the opposition who even opposed his rural development allocation in the just concluded State Legislative Assembly sitting.
“The chief minister wanted to allocate RM500 million for rural development but the opposition disagreed, and this is really against the grain of rural development,” he said.
Entri also said the chief minister was sensitive to the road accessibility of rural communities and wanted all oil palm plantations to allow their roads to be used by villagers without compromising on their security.
“We have raised various issues and problems affecting the rural population with him, and he wanted them to be solved,” he said.
Entri added that the ongoing rural electrification drive in the state, the lowering of power tariffs for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers, crackdown on illegal logging and theft of forest resources and other initiatives taken all pointed to the state moving forward under Adenan’s leadership.
Entri was happy that in Marudi constituency, the road to Beluru and Lapok had already been improved but cautioned road users against speeding due to the smooth road surface all the way into the hinterland from Miri.
He said the rural electrification scheme had reached many longhouses, including Seputi in Marudi, which was awaiting supply to be switched on after the households had completed the internal wirings.
Earlier, Marudi District Officer Mackos Sibong called on the BR1M recipients to use the government aid wisely and not waste them on non-essentials.
He said the aid proved that the government was sensitive to the needs and plights of the people.
Community leaders, councillors and longhouse chiefs from Beluru, Teru and Tinjar were among those present at the function.