Redeems seeks RM2 million from state government

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Taib (fourth right) blows out the candles as (from left) Mawan, Manyin, Wong, Nansian, Adenan, Ragad, Rose and Wilfred look on.

Taib (fourth right) blows out the candles as (from left) Mawan, Manyin, Wong, Nansian, Adenan, Ragad, Rose and Wilfred look on.

BAU: President of Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie is bidding for RM2 million from the state government to enable it to start construction of the proposed Redeems Cultural Centre in six months.

Nansian, who is Assistant Minister for Community Services, said the association was presently short of RM2 million to meet the total project cost of RM8 million.

He said Redeems had received not just the RM4 million that the prime minister pledged earlier but also the RM2 million pledged by the deputy prime minister last year.

“They have all paid us, and now we have RM6 million. I request the state government to pledge the remaining amount and once we have it, we can start the project in the next six months and complete it in two years.

“Our chief minister is a leader who likes to lighten the burden of the people. We, in Bau, want to give him at least 10 years and that is why we have a full house tonight coming to show you our support.

“We will support you so that you will give us more. People of Opar and Tasik Biru are all behind you and want to work with you,” he said before Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared open the 10th Redeems Gawai Carnival at Kampung Apar Singai here Saturday night.

Adenan (third left) and Nansian hold up the rattan mat, a memento from Redeems. Also seen from right are Taib, Ragad, Wong and Manyin.

Adenan (third left) and Nansian hold up the rattan mat, a memento from Redeems. Also seen from right are Taib, Ragad, Wong and Manyin.

In responding to the request, Adenan said Redeems would not need to worry about the RM2 million if the community there promised to support him “come the time when I need your support”.

“By that, you know what I mean. Just do not forget about me. If you promise to reciprocate when the time comes, I have RM2 million for you.”

Adenan also appealed to the Bidayuh community to be proud of who they are despite being in the minority, making up about eight per cent of the state’s population.

“You have great traditions and never be ashamed of what you are. If you honour yourselves, others will honour you.”

He reassured Sarawakians especially the Christian community that they could continue to use the word ‘Allah’ while pledging to keep out religious bigots from Peninsular Malaysia.

“It has been a practice in Sarawak, so keep it that way.

As long as I am the chief minister, there will be no legislation to prohibit the use of Allah.

“We do not want religious bigots from Peninsular Malaysia to be here. We can take care of ourselves so do not tell us what to do.”

At the function, Taib launched a book on Redeems.

Nansian presented a copy each to Taib and Adenan following the launch.

Among those present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Minister of Local Government and Community Development and UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Social Development and Teras president Tan Sri William Mawan, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Nansian’s wife Datin Rose Sanden and Redeems life president Datuk Wilfred Rata Nissom.