Najib, with Masing on his left, takes a look at some local delicacies on display.
— Bernama photo
KANOWIT: Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak yesterday announced a RM50 million allocation to build a road linking two former major Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom) resettlements — Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Jagau here.
He said it was his duty to carry on the legacy of his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak, who created the Rascom resettlement scheme.
Rascom resettlements were formed in 1972 to fight the communist threat in the Rajang Basin.
Besides Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Jagau, the other two major resettlements are Nanga Sekuau and Nanga Tada.
Rascom was disbanded in 1994 after the communist threats were subdued.
“As a son, I will make sure such places get more development,”
he said during a walkabout at Rumah Taboh Rimau in Nanga Ngungun resettlement scheme here.
He said the allocation was requested by Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent.
He also said he would take into consideration other requests by Alexander.
Najib said as the prime minister, he wanted to ensure development was implemented in all parts of the state, especially in areas where they are very much needed.
“We have inclusive policies, which means we want every group, be they small or big, and every individual to feel that the government today is the government for them.
“We are a caring government and that is why I came here today to see what else we, as the government, must and need to do.”
He advised the people not to listen to the opposition as they played politics of hatred.
He said the opposition cannot fulfil the people’s aspirations.
“What the people want is a government that is able to change their lives (for the better).
“If the opposition raised issues like GST, believe me the GST helps the government to increase country’s income.
“Without GST, we won’t be able to build Pan Borneo Highway and set aside allocation for Kapit/Song/Kanowit Road missing links.”
In his speech, Alexander said Nanga Jagau and Ulu Sungai Ngemah folk had long yearned for road accessibility to their areas.
Currently, Nanga Jagau, which is the remotest of the four major Rascom resettlement areas, is only accessible via longboats, he said.
“A longboat journey from Kanowit town takes about five hours to Nanga Jagau.
“The people are facing difficulties to move around without road accessibility.”
He added the road was about 22km, and when completed, it would benefit about 5,000 people in Nanga Jagau and longhouse dwellers along Ulu Sungai Ngemah.
Among those present at the function were Land Development Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, who represented the chief minister, Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, his deputy Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Alexander’s wife, Susan Clement.