Penguang (fifth right) and other guests perform the ‘Miring’ ceremony.
MARUDI: Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil recently visited Rumah Hillary Tawan near here to thank the people there for accommodating his supporters during the 2016 state election.
The Marudi assemblyman said he was grateful to the residents for playing host to his supporters as the hotels in town were all full during the election.
“I know many people are asking why I am visiting this longhouse as it is under Mulu constituency. But as assistant minister I can visit any constituency in Sarawak. I have told Datuk Gerawat Gala, the assemblyman for Mulu, about this visit. My intention is to thank the residents,” he said.
In his speech at the longhouse, he mentioned about the various shortcomings in Poyut/Lubok Nibong area, though it is only a few kilometres from town, such as the lack of clean water and electricity supply and poor road conditions.
He also lamented that that there was a need for Marudi Hospital to be rebuilt or upgraded and for the hospital to have specialist doctors.
However, he gave comfort to the people by saying that an allocation for the water pipeline to Poyut/Lubok Nibong area had been approved and the project would be out for tender sometime this month.
Penguang also talked about NCR land issues and assured that the government would not take away their land.
“We will solve all the land issues. On this March 18, we will bring Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to meet the people at Rumah Penghulu Benang Pilang at Sg Bakas in Bakong. I invite all local headmen and other community leaders to come and listen to what Datuk Amar Douglas will say,” he said.
On the Marudi-Miri road, he said it would be completed very soon.
He also said the earth-breaking ceremony for the Batang Baram bridge would be done soon at the Kuala Ridan ferry point.
Later, he presented MRP grants to the village security and development committee of Rumah Hillary Tawan (RM30,000), Women Bureau of Rumah Hillary Tawan (RM5,000) and Rumah Telajan Luyuh, Sg Brit Asal (RM20,000).
Present were Sarawak administrative officer Reagan Edwin representing Marudi district officer Mackos Sibong, Penguang’s wife Datin Monica Ukong, political secretary to the chief minister Alexander Asing, Marudi District Council chairman Edward Mendai, Pemanca Enggah Nuga and Penghulu Buan Gelungan.