Uggah hands over a government grant to a Kemas kindergarten teacher, witnessed by (from front, right) Lawson and Rentap.
BETONG: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has instructed all Gabungan Parti Rakyat (GPS) elected representatives to go on the ground “to see and listen what is happening” in their respective constituency.
This was revealed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who said the chief minister gave the instruction so that issues faced by the people will be known and addressed.
“Why go to the ground? We must listen to the pulse of the people’s heart. We have to find out what the problems faced by the people are,” he said during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak gathering held at Masjid Jamek Betong on Saturday.
According to him, basic infrastructure needs in Betong such as electricity, roads and, most importantly, treated water supply must top the elected representatives’ list of priorities.
“Our facilities are improving from time to time, but we must focus on other issues as well like socio-economic problems, poverty, housing assistance for the hardcore poor, and programmes to increase income of the people,” he said, pledging that the state assemblymen and member of parliament will be close to the people and easily accessible.
Meanwhile, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap said he will submit an official letter to the chief minister to request for immediate action to replace ageing water pipes here which have been identified as the root cause of water supply problems in his constituency.
Present at the event were Betong MP Robert Lawson Chuat, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and others.