Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi
SIBU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is a very approachable and people-oriented person, making the local members of parliament feel more empowered, says Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said his colleagues like Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo and Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang were like him – “feeling more empowered now”.
“We, for instance, can propose for any development projects. The most positive thing is that he (Najib) listens and our proposals are followed up and implemented.
“This gives us the enthusiasm to do more. Najib has constantly reminded us to be with the grassroots,” he said when met here recently.
Nanta, who won the Kapit seat unopposed in the 2004 and 2008 general elections, said Najib’s approachability was evidenced in the fact that he would dedicate a day when he could personally meet all the MPs like the one in January this year.
“Of course, we can always go and see him, but the fact that we are given the opportunity to meet him personally assures us that things are not missed out,” he said.
On the coming general election, Nanta said he was keeping an open mind.
“If given the chance and if the people still wants me, I am prepared to defend the seat.
“I am very confident that the people can choose whoever they want (BN or the opposition) to represent them. However, I believe the BN still has the support of the people in Kapit.”
On the defeat of the BN in Pelagus in the April 16 state election, Nanta, who is also the chairman of Malaysian Pepper Board, said many factors contributed to the defeat. He did not elaborate.
When asked about his life as an MP, he said: “Quite hectic. There are many parliamentary meetings to attend and a vast area to take care of.
“Despite that, I have managed to cover most of the 300 longhouses scattered over a large area.”
He said his focus now was to bring more infrastructure development to the constituency.
“Many roads are being built which will greatly facilitate the implementation of rural electricity programme.
“I believe that through the National Key Results Area initiative, we are going to see a lot more development, including water supply projects in Kapit,” he said.
The MP said that with the roads in place, more beneficial projects would come the people’s way such as large scale rubber planting scheme.
“I have initiated a dialogue with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development where many issues were discussed with the minister.
“We want agencies like Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority to come in to help in the rubber project in places such as Menuan, Sungai Belawai, Sungai Ibau, Melipis, Manap, Sungai Song and Ulu Katibas-Sungai Iran area which are the more populated areas in the division,” he said.SIBU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is a very approachable and people-oriented person, making the local members of parliament feel more empowered, says Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said his colleagues like Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo and Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang were like him – “feeling more empowered now”.
“We, for instance, can propose for any development projects. The most positive thing is that he (Najib) listens and our proposals are followed up and implemented. This gives us the enthusiasm to do more. Najib has constantly reminded us to be with the grassroots,” he said when met here recently.
Nanta, who won the Kapit seat unopposed in the 2004 and 2008 general elections, said Najib’s approachability was evidenced in the fact that he would dedicate a day when he could personally meet all the MPs like the one in January.
“Of course, we can always go and see him, but the fact that we are given the opportunity to meet him personally assures us that things are not missed out,” he said. On the coming general election, Nanta said he was keeping an open mind.
“If given the chance and if the people still want me, I am prepared to defend the seat. I am very confident that the people can choose whoever they want (BN or the opposition) to represent them. However, I believe the BN still has the support of the people in Kapit.”
On the defeat of the BN in Pelagus in the April 16 state election, Nanta, who is also the chairman of Malaysian Pepper Board, said many factors contributed to the defeat. He did not elaborate.
When asked about his life as an MP, he said: “Quite hectic. There are many parliamentary meetings to attend and a vast area to take care of.
“Despite that, I have managed to cover most of the 300 longhouses scattered over a large area.”
He said his focus now was to bring more infrastructure development to the constituency.
“Many roads are being built which will greatly facilitate the implementation of rural electricity programme.
“I believe that through the National Key Results Area initiative, we are going to see a lot more development, including water supply projects in Kapit,” he said. The MP said that with the roads in place, more beneficial projects would come the people’s way such as large scale rubber planting scheme.
“I have initiated a dialogue with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development where many issues were discussed with the minister.
“We want agencies like Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority to come in to help in the rubber project in places such as Menuan, Sungai Belawai, Sungai Ibau, Melipis, Manap, Sungai Song and Ulu Katibas-Sungai Iran area which are the more populated areas in the division,” he said.