Wong (centre), flanked by Wee (third left) and Kuok (third right) and others, at the 60th anniversary celebration of SCRBMVA.
SIBU: Sarawak has very strong financial management, enabling the government to allocate almost 70 per cent of its development fund to rural development.
Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who stated this, said it had allowed the government to emphasise on infrastructure development in rural areas.
“The government is concentrating on infrastructure in rural areas like the construction of roads and bridges to link the rural areas to the cities and towns,” he said in his address at the Sarawak Central Region Bicycles and Motor Vehicles Association (SCRBMVA)’s 60th anniversary celebration at a leading hotel here on Sunday.
Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King who is also the chairman of Sibu Municipal Council, Malaysia Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers’ Association chairman Wee Hong, SCRBMVA chairman Kuok Koh Ming and the organising chairman Ding Sie Dung were among those present.
Wong, who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, also said more people in the rural areas would use motorcycles as the rural community progressed and the standard of living improved through better connectivity by road.
“As the community progresses and the standard of living improves, more people will be using motorcycles.
“But it looks like there are two reasons for people to use motorcycles, namely the petrol consumption is not too high compared to cars and it is easier to navigate during traffic congestion,” he said.
On a related matter, he said he knew of a motorcycle dealer who imported electric motorcycles which were very economical and convenient.
“All you need to do is to charge, then you can travel up to 80 kilometres. It is soundless
and environmentally-friendly,” he said.
He called on dealers, particularly members of SCRBMVA, not to be too worried about the economic downturn and the goods and services tax (GST).
“The economy definitely is going through a difficult period but do not lose heart because the future is very bright as far as the demand for motorcycles is concerned, particularly electric motorcycles because now in Scandinavia, Norway, Sweden and Belgium in Northern Europe and all that, people are using electric motorcycles and even have gone back to using bicycles.
“That is good for the
environment and I think we are going in that direction. So I hope those involved will work hard and publicise the use of electric motorcycles,” he said.
Wong congratulated SCRBMVA for remaining strong for the past six decades since its establishment.