LAWAS: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan will bring to the attention of State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) the need for leeway for those living near the border with Sabah who travel across the border on a daily basis.
The rise in the spread of Covid-19 has forced the Sarawak government to impose inter-district and interstate travel.
Cases in Kuching and Samarahan rose again last month with Kuching declared as red zone again but Lawas district has been among the first to be declared green zone in the first quarter of this year despite cases being reported in Sabah.
Awang Tengah checking out the ‘ciku’ fruits at the compound of a villager in Kampung Paterikan.
The deputy chief minister said Sarawak appreciates greater flexibility in cross border restrictions by Sabah state government for Sarawakians in Merapok on grounds of medical and education needs or family ties.
Awang Tengah said many students from Merapok are attending schools in Sindumin town in Sabah as it is nearer than Lawas town.
Many villagers also head for the health clinic in Sindumin or Sipitang Hospital for medical treatment.
He was speaking at the presentation of korban contributions at Kampung Paterikan in Merapok over the weekend.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industry Terminal and Entrepreneur Development, urged the local community to be productive with their fertile land and adopt modern technology in their farming.
He also said they should seek advice and assistance from the Agriculture Department in planting suitable crops which could be supplied to the collection, processing and packaging centre in Lawas which would be ready next year.
The Bukit Sari assemblyman announced the approval of RM2.3 million road upgrading project for the villagers and allocation of RM30,000 in Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) funds for the upgrading of the wooden jetty and graveyard shed at Kampung Paterikan.
He also said he would look into the wiring and parking space of the old mosque pending the construction of the new mosque at a new site which is yet to be finalised.