TRADITIONAL MOTIF: Najib adorning a ‘Pua Kumbu’ attire helped by Mawan. — Bernama photo
JULAU: Saratok MP Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom hoped that a telecommunication tower could be erected in Pakan for greater Internet access and mobile communication Mawan, who is also Pakan assemblyman and Minister of Social Development, said Pakan would soon have treated water supply once the water treatment plant in Gerugu is completed.
The constituency has tar-sealed roads and electricity supply but mobile telecommunication and internet access remained largely elusive.
“We are cut off from the outside world as far as mobile services are concerned. I hope the relevant authorities will address this matter by constructing a telecommunication tower,” said Mawan when welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to a Gawai Dayak open house at Rumah George Chunggut in Nanga Nansang, Pakan, near here yesterday.
Also present was Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.
More than 7,000 people were present at Rumah George, which is Mawan’s longhouse.
On the delayed upgrading of the Pakan-Julau road due to financial constraints, Mawan, who is also SPDP president and Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) chief, said he would bring up the issue in Parliament.
On another issue, Mawan hoped Najib would consider appointing the four SPDP MPs to the federal cabinet. The other SPDP MPs are Anyi Ngau (Baram), Anthony Nogeh Gumbek (Mas Gading) and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu).
In his speech, Najib thanked the people of Rumah George for being faithfull BN supporters.
He assured that the BN would intensify efforts to develop the rural areas to reciprocate the people’s trust it. He stressed that this was a pledge by the government.
Najib also thanked PBB, PRS and SPDP for helping BN secure victory in the May 5 general election.