Awang Tengah cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of Anjung Usahawan Lawas in Merapok. He is flanked by his wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud and Henry, while Naroden is seen at front, third left.
LAWAS: The Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) has channelled RM32.5 million for the implementation of Sarawak Entrepreneur Capital Development Scheme.
The strategic unit, run under the Prime Minister’s Department, is mean to drive, boost and coordinate the participation of Bumiputeras in the nation’s economic activities.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the RM32.5 million was allocated to Sarawak from 2015 to last year.
On the scheme, he said it was slated for the expansion of businesses, as well as the development of capacity and infrastructure for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
He also pointed out that Teraju had been solidly behind the establishment of ‘Anjung Usahawan’ (Entrepreneurs Corridor) across the state.
Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, said this in officiating at the opening of ‘Anjung Usahawan Lawas’ in Merapok on Saturday.
He said the new facility signified the ongoing efforts by the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led government to groom more entrepreneurs among the suburban and rural communities, boost the economy,
and also enhance the infrastructures and marketing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
It is stated that MIED has allocated RM13 million to set up eight Anjung Usahawan units across the state, including the RM3-million facility for this district – consisting of 10 lock-up shops slated for 11 local entrepreneurs, and one mini-market.
Specifically, Awang Tengah said the infrastructure in Merapok, along the Pan Borneo Highway, would help boost the local economy and create more marketing opportunities for the local products – aided by the collection centre that had been approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), he added, would fine-tune the plans to complement the overall economic development in Merapok, to be fuelled by digital economy.
“I want the people of Merapok to be ready to tap into these opportunities, and not wait for the Pan Borneo Highway project to be completed, where big lorries would be stopping by to collect the goods,” he said.
Meanwhile Awang Tengah, who is also a deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) – the backbone party of BN Sarawak – called upon Lawas constituents including those in Lawas to give strong mandate to Datuk Henry Sum Agong for him to be re-elected as MP in the coming polls.
“The late Datuk Racha Umong (former MP for Bukit Mas – what Lawas parliamentary constituency is formerly known) might not be as highly educated as others, but I still remember his wisdom – he once warned the people about ‘untung sekantung, rugi seguni’ (gain a pouch, but lose a sack), the peril of one choosing emotions over rationale,” he said.
Awang Tengah said the rural folk are deserving of the infrastructures and amenities that the BN could deliver, should it receive strong mandate from the people in this election.
Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais was also present at the event.