Cr Dominic Nyurang
KUCHING: People in Baram have every reason to be exhilarated following the state government’s decision recently to allocate RM1.5 billion to Highland Development Agency (HDA) for rural development in Baram region which comprises Marudi, Mulu and Telang Usan state constituencies.
According to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Telang Usan Youth chief councillor Dominic Nyurang Ajeng, Mulu and Telang Usan constituencies in particular will benefit greatly from many development programmes carried out by the HDA and fuelled by the huge allocation.
The dynamics of these programmes will also create a diversity of spin-offs which also benefit the rural people, he said.
“This is the biggest allocation ever received by Mulu and Telang Usan in decades,” he told The Borneo Post in a phone interview.
Dominic said the Baram Division, about the size of Johor, much of which can still be considered countryside, has been lacking in terms of infrastructure for so long.
“It is about time the government singles out Baram for a massive development programme to enable Baram have the chance to catch up with the other Sarawak divisions.
“From my understanding, this RM1.5 billion is the catching up cost. This allocation is to add to other yearly development funds for Mulu and Telang Usan.
“This is a huge budget, it dwarfs all other allocations ever seen by Mulu and Telang Usan. Indeed, we are very grateful,” said Dominic.
He reminded the people that this commitment to develop Baram is no longer a mere promise as the state government has demonstrated its willingness and sincerity through the announcement of the allocation.
Dominic, who is also PBB state exco member, said this was in stark contrast to the federal government’s 2019 budget which allocated only RM4 billion for the whole of Sarawak.
“RM4 billion to be shared among all divisions in the vast state is almost as bad as no fund at all. Seriously, how much can we do with that four billion? Sarawak is an oil-producing state yet the Federal is penny-pinching with Sarawak.
“Compare that to the RM271 billion allocated to other states in Malaya. This is very unfair for Sarawak.”
He also hoped the people in Mulu and Telang Usan are aware of this treatment by the federal government and realise which between the PH government and Sarawak government is the true champion of Sarawakians.
He also reminded that the Chief Minister had allocated RM35 million to Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Malaysia (Forum) during a symposium recently for building a centre and starting Orang Ulu Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI).
“This is another proof that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari (Tun Openg) is serious in helping Orang Ulu to be on par with other races in terms of infrastructure, economic and social development,” said Dominic.