Adenan (second right) witnessing the handover of the mock cheque by Abang Johari (left) to Abdul Rahman Zainuddin during the Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri at Kampung Bandarsah on Saturday.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem hopes the state will be toll-bridge free by the end of the year.
“Currently, there is only one toll bridge in Sarawak, which is the Tun Salahuddin bridge.
“Discussions (to scrap the toll) are still ongoing, and I hope it will yield positive results before this year’s end,” he said at a Hari Raya gathering at Kampung Bandarsah on Saturday night.
He told those present that his recent successful efforts in abolishing toll collections in Sibu and Baram were meant to help reduce the financial burden of the people.
On the state’s demand for oil and gas royalty to be raised by 15 per cent from the current five per cent, Adenan made a fresh pledge that he would not stop urging the federal government to oblige until the demand was met.
“The oil and gas in Miri and Bintulu belongs to Sarawak. If it is in Terengganu or Pahang, I would not care. But as long as it (oil and gas reserves) is in Sarawak, it becomes my business.”
Petroleum Nasional Berhad (Petronas), he said, had thus far agreed to allocate RM2.1 billion worth of contracts to Sarawakian companies in the oil and gas industry.
Besides contracts, Petronas would also be continuing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes worth millions of ringgit, including a proposal to set up a technical school in the state.
On politics, Adenan reiterated his desire to lead the state for another five years.
He said his policies were people centric in order to make the lives of all Sarawakians a comfortable one, and free from poverty.
“I promise you that more can be done if I am given another five years.”
He pointed out that one approach being undertaken by his administration to eradicate poverty was through rural development, since that was where most of the state’s poor population are.
“If you want to find lack of facilities such as water supply and road networks, go to the rural areas. If you want to find rich people, head to the urban areas.”
At the gathering, Adenan, who grew up in Kampung Bandarsah, allocated RM100,000 to the village’s Pertubuhan Anak Seni Bandarsah.
Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was also present, gave an allocation of RM300,000 to the organisation for the purchase of a piece of land.
Abang Johari handed over the mock cheque to Pertubuhan Anak Seni chairman Abdul Rahman Zainuddin.
Pertubuhan Anak Seni Kampung Bandarsah, said Abang Johari, was made famous by their combo band, which is still active today.
“Even the state police’s combo band was led by one of the band members from this village.
“He is also the first local to lead a combo band in the police force after the British left,” said Abang Johari.
Among those present at the event were Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusuf and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Awang Asfia Awang Nasar.