Jabu (second right) attends the ‘miring’ ceremony.
BETONG: The government has big plans to turn Bukit Sadok into an agropolitan area involving Lubok Antu, Engkilili, Layar up to Bukit Saban, Kerian, Kalaka, Pakan, Meluan and Julau.
During a ‘miring’ ceremony conducted for an expedition to Rentap Fort at Bukit Sadok on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said the government had plans to construct Bukit Sadok Hall without damaging the natural beauty of the area.
This is to preserve as much of the local flora as possible and repair other infrastructure in the area.
Bukit Sadok’s biodiversity is rich with Rafflesia plants, a bonus to recreational, camping and homestay activities in the area.
“An area of 170 acres here will be made a forest reserve to protect the flora and fauna, and in respect to Rentap who is synonymous with Bukit Sadok,” said Jabu.
All parties must guard the area from any uncouth behaviour, he added.
Attractive tour packages take visitors from Betong to the foot of Bukit Sangau by vehicle, then on foot to Perdu longhouse homestay two hours away. From the longhouse, visitors can opt for rafting to upper Spak River.
On the infrastructure development in the area, Jabu said while roads do not go everywhere yet, the road to Ng Spak does not reach Ng Lawit, and the road from Lisum now goes to Ng Penyuwin and onwards to Ng Muman.
“The road from Rh Kimang to Batu Pesuk, Rh Berundi, Rempaong, Teguyu to Perdu is being done in stages,” he revealed.
The expedition to Bukit Sadok aimed to remember Betong as an administrative division upgraded from a district 13 years ago.
Participating in the expedition were Plantation Industries and Commodity Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Welfare Assistant Minister Robert Lawson Chua.