Awang Tengah (front, second left), with Dayang Morliah on his right, presents Hari Raya goodies to a local elderly citizen.
LAWAS: The Awat-Awat area and the larger Sundar Sub-District here have the potential to be developed as aquaculture zones.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, these two areas are well-known as the major producers of marine and agriculture-based products in this district.
“Planning has been made to turn the two areas into agricultural zones,” he spoke at the presentation of Hari Raya donations to 181 senior citizens and single mothers from Awat-Awat and Sundar here yesterday.
The event, organised by the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) Lawas, was also attended by Awang Tengah’s wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud who is also Perkim Lawas chairperson, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Limbang Resident Ahmad Denny Ahmad Fauzi and Lawas District Officer Hussaini Hakim.
Awang Tengah, who is also Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Minister, said agriculture and fisheries would be responsible for the plan to make Awat-Awat and Sundar the aquaculture hub of northern Sarawak.
“The government will engage the relevant agencies to sit together for a discussion.
“If such goal could not be realised, we would seek other means including identifying other agencies to make this become a reality,” he said.
On another matter, Awang Tengah said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had allocated RM169 million for improvement works on the water distribution system in Awat-Awat and Sundar to replace small water pipes.
“The water supply problem faced by residents in these areas is expected to be resolved within the next two years,” he said.
Awang Tengah also wanted the community in Sundar to undertake survey on their native land, which could be developed to improve their living standards.
Back on agriculture, he said the fertigation system could also be used and practised for cultivation without the need to use extensive land, under the ‘Rimbunan Kasih’ project that uses the same system and technology.
“The important thing is Rimbunan Kasih would be the centre in ensuring that the people would get the outcome of development.”
For Awat-Awat, Awang Tengah said the concept of caring society would still be applied.
“The government has been providing various welfare assistance to the poor, and agriculture assistance, livestock breeding, education and other aid to reduce the people’s burden.”
Meanwhile, Dayang Morliah said the activities run by Perkim Lawas throughout the year including Al-Quran reading class, had been receiving tremendous response from the younger generation.
“In conjunction with Ramadan, religious talks and other similar activities have also been held.”
Dayang Morliah also said Perkim Lawas as the organisation’s third most active branch in the country.
“This is the result of the support from all parties, including members of the Lawas community themselves,” she added.