Abang Johari hands over land title to villager while Juanda and others look on.
IGAN: Development projects can be implemented smoothly and systematically in Sarawak due to the smooth transition of power from the older leadership to its successor, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg
“When Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud stepped down, he passed the baton to Pehin Sri Adenan Satem,” he said at the ‘meet the people’ session in Kuala Igan yesterday.
“The people gave their astounding support to Barisan Nasional under Tok Nan, but sadly he was only able to lead us for eight months after the election,” he added.
After his (Tok Nan) demise, PBB and all other BN components supported Abang Johari to take over, with smooth transition.
“Similarly here in Jemoreng, the baton was passed down from a political secretary (to CM) Abu Seman Jahwie to Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya. We wish to thank Abu Seman for his contributions, and now from Datuk Wahab Dollah to Ahmad Johnie Zawawi at Igan parliamentary seat. We say thank you also to Datuk Wahab Dollah for all his contributions to the area,”Abang Johari said.
He added that Sarawak was very fortunate to be blessed with oil and gas resources, and the money from the newly acquired stakes in MLNG would help to boost Sarawak’s coffer.
“I do not come empty-handed today for I am allocating RM173 million for various development projects here, which will be implemented within three years.”
Earlier in his speech, he announced an allocation of RM5 million to build a new Agriculture Department office in Igan, while Matu would get a new district office costing RM5 million.
Abang Johari also announced the construction of road to Kampung Kebuwau costing RM6 million, which is already at the designing stage, and RM4.85 million to build the ‘missing link’ pipes to supply water from Jemoreng treatment plant to Kuala Matu.
He also approved RM87.7 million for a short-term measure to tackle the acute water shortage problem in Igan. The long-term measure would take about six years to complete.
A budget of RM69 million has also been approved to build a 13.5km road from Igan to Rumah Ilas.
Abang Johari also approved RM3 million to build a community hall complete with air-conditioners, in Igan after noticing the people attending the function were not comfortable sitting under the tents. He also approved a request for the site of Pesta Kaul Igan costing RM4 million and to build a new mosque in Kuala Matu costing RM3 million.
“For the rickety wooden plank walkway in Kampung Tian, we will upgrade it to a concrete walkway using newly introduced technology developed by scientists from Curtin University Malaysia in Miri and Australia. It’s called bio-cemented surface.”
Juanda, BN candidate for Igan Ahmad Johnie and Deputy State Secretary Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki were also present at the function.