Kabong anticipates positive wave of devt

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Boatmen attend to passengers in Kampung Perpat. This water taxi service is still in use in a number of villages in Kabong.

Boatmen attend to passengers in Kampung Perpat. This water taxi service is still in use in a number of villages in Kabong.

This concrete walkway is among many upgraded ones along Kabong Riverfront.

This concrete walkway is among many upgraded ones along Kabong Riverfront.

The Kabong District Office that signifies the former sub-district’s elevation to district status.

The Kabong District Office that signifies the former sub-district’s elevation to district status.

A villager shows the water filtration system installed for the benefit of residents of two longhouses in Kabong.

A villager shows the water filtration system installed for the benefit of residents of two longhouses in Kabong.

THE inclusion of Kabong as a new state constituency under the parliamentary area of Saratok can be regarded as a move to highlight government’s focus on rural transformation.

It can also anticipate an accelerated pace of development, following its elevation from sub-district to full-fledged district late last year.

As a district, it has an administrative area of about 398.14km² and based on 2004 statistics, it has a population of over 13,000 people who are mainly farmers and fishermen.

The constituents, comprising mostly Malays, are very industrious and resourceful, especially the womenfolk who are engaged in cottage businesses such as processing salted fish, smoked seafood and the manufacturing of various types of local snacks such as banana, potato and tapioca chips.

They are also known for processing products from ‘nipah’ (sago) palm such as the thick, dark brown, molasses-like palm sugar that has taken up the name of the district – ‘gula kabong’.

Also known as ‘gula apong’, the palm sugar is the base of many traditional delicacies made and sold by villagers in nearby towns like Saratok and Sarikei, as well as to visitors to the district.

As a state constituency, Kabong was carved out from Kampung Selalang in Kuala Rajang (formerly known as Belawai state constituency) and Kalaka – one of three state constituencies under Saratok parliamentary area – the third is Krian.

Recently state BN chief Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, in his capacity as chief minister then, made a brief visit to Kabong, where he announced an allocation of RM1 million for the construction of a district community hall and also the approval for a new mosque project – the cost of which is yet to be disclosed pending the exact figure and details from the authority concerned.

 

Vibrant district

 

The growth in population, a wider jurisdiction and rising number of proposed development projects are the three key reasons behind the decision to have Kabong alongside Krian and Kalaka as the state constituencies under Saratok.

The move, as in that for other areas under the redelineation exercise, is seen as means to channel in more federal allocations for Sarawak – translating into a more vibrant progress for the state, especially for the rural communities, going forward.

Saratok Division Pemanca Sahari Gani says the local constituents have been very pleased with the state administration under Adenan’s leadership.

“We’re happy that the government administration seems to be very people-centric, with plans slated for the benefit of all Sarawakians,” he points out.

Another local community leader, Ketua Kampung Rajaie Maliki of Hulu Tengah Kabong, says it is undeniable that Adenan is a leader whose calibre and leadership have helped in spurring further growth for Sarawak.

“His actions and principles deserve our strong backing for the next five years.

“This is to ensure that all plans for the development and prosperity of the state would be ongoing and sustainable – without any hiccup,” he says, noting that since taking the helm of the state government, Adenan has been implementing lots of programmes that give positive impact to the people.

For PBB Kalaka Women’s chief Mordiah Mahrif, her side would always stand steadfast behind Adenan and his team.

“He has done so much for Sarawakians throughout his two years in office. His many policies and programmes – more than 50 of them – are for the benefit of the people.

“Moreover, their implementation has been producing positive impact and more obviously, the spillover effects have been and would continue benefiting the rural communities.”

On this, Mordiah believes that Adenan deserves the mandate to continue leading Sarawak.

“It is justified. Moreover, Datuk Patinggi Adenan is a leader for all Sarawakians, seeing that all his approaches transcends the highly applicable for people of diverse social backgrounds — beyond race, religion and beliefs,” she stresses.