Adenan (centre) is welcomed by the crowd on arrival at the function.
Manyin briefs Adenan (second left) on the road project.
Adenan about to launch the project.
LUNDU: Sematan will soon have a waterfront to add to its list of attractions.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said with the waterfront as its added attraction, Sematan would be more beautiful and attractive to locals and outsiders.
“Sematan is actually already very beautiful with the beaches and if it is developed, it will become more beautiful, so I am planning to build a waterfront in the area (Sematan),” Adenan said yesterday at the launching of upgrading works for the Pantai Pandan-Kpg Belungei-Kpg Pugu road here.
He said the upgrading of the 11.7km road, including upgrading the three existing wooden bridges, would enable the local people to develop their land for oil palm plantation and other agricultural projects.
Adenan also said he would continue to develop rural areas.
“When I first became chief minister, my first thought was to help the people in the rural areas who are mostly poor and lacking in facilities and amenities and I will continue to do that,” he assured.
To prove his point, he said tolls had been abolished and electricity tariff in the state had been decreased – making it the lowest in the country.
He also assured that the state government would continue to request for funds from the federal government to develop rural areas.
“We will continue to request for funds to develop rural areas, and in this coming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, I will request for more funds,” he said.
Adenan also reiterated the state government’s request for the increase of oil royalty to 20 per cent from the present five per cent.
“For the 20 per cent oil royalty for the state, I will continue to seek that and I will not stop until the demand is met,” he said, stressing the demand was reasonable as the revenue was from oil and gas found offshore of the state.
He stressed that the state wanted to play a prominent role in the oil and gas industry and would not want to become a bystander.
Adenan also urged the people to give him another five years to further develop the state and develop rural areas.
“Give me another five years and try me out…after that I will retire…now I am 71 years, and too old already and I want to be with my grandchildren,” he said.
He had the crowd clapping when he announced the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Tanjong Datu.
“I want to announce the candidate for Tanjong Datu…and it is Adenan,” he said in jest.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi and Assistant Minister of Land Development Datuk Gramong Juna were present.