MUKAH: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday singled out good cooperation and understanding between the government and the people as very important elements for achieving greater development and progress of the country.
SAME TUNE: Taib (seventh left) affixes the ‘Sejiwa Senada’ logo when officiating at the programme in Mukah as (from left) Manyin, Asfia, Jabu, Morshidi, Awang Tengah and Fatimah look on.
People and government must have the same mindset to understand and appreciate benefits of development
As such, the people must be of the same mindset as the government in order to understand, appreciate and accept the benefits of development meant to enhance their income and well-being, said Taib.
“It is very important that the people’s thinking and actions are moving together and in tune with that of government officers and leaders towards a common direction of progress and prosperity,” he added.
Taib made the remarks in his speech as guest of honour at the official opening ceremony of ‘Sejiwa Senada’ programme for Mukah Division held here yesterday.
The main objective of the programme was to bring various federal and state departments and agencies as well as government-linked entities closer to the people to win their hearts and minds.
Touching on land matters, Taib said it was the policy of the government to pay adequate compensations to owners of land acquired for development purposes because their (landowners) rights were safeguarded and protected by the constitution.
He therefore advised landowners not to listen to baseless propaganda spread by anti-establishment quarters who have ulterior motives.
Taib also took the opportunity to remind parents to send their children to school to ensure that about 30 per cent of them graduate from universities by 2020 in order to create quality human capital who are educated, knowledgeable and skillful and earn high income under the New Economic Model espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He also disclosed that under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP), the government would allocate more than RM5 billion for development projects in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
He also disclosed that under the 10MP Balingian and Tatau would be linked by coastal road.
Mukah MP Dato Sri Dr Muhammed Leo Michael Toyad and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani also spoke at the function.