Bebuling STOLport project at risk if under opposition – DCM

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BETONG: The RM108-million Bebuling Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) project in Spaoh near here might be at risk of being cancelled if the opposition took over the Sarawak government, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

According to him, a member of the opposition side had hinted this throughout his ‘ceramah’ (public talks) held at the longhouses here recently.

Uggah (left) presents a certificate of participation to one of the group leaders attending the AgriCOP, witnessed by Petrus.

It is said that the opposition member is eyeing to contest in Bukit Saban, where Uggah is the incumbent assemblyman, in the 12th Sarawak state election, which could be called at any time.

“This is an example of how the opposition works – they would disparage important development projects to discredit the (ruling) government and its elected representatives.

“They are destroying the people’s dreams and also their needs,” he said in launching the ‘Agriculture Community Outreach Programme’ (AgriCOP) at Rumah Benard, Engkerbai in Anyut here yesterday.

On the Bebuling STOLport, Uggah said upon completion, it should facilitate the transportation of farming produce to the markets in the shortest of time to guarantee the freshness of the goods.

“This project, approved by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, is ‘a perfect gift’ to us here.

“This is more so as Betong is a part of the Sadok Agropolitan and also the Betong/Mukah Food Basket areas.

“These large-scale and very modern agriculture programmes are meant to realise Sarawak’s vision of becoming a major producer and exporter of food and food products by 2030,” said Uggah, who is also the Minister of Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development.

Adding on, he said with the opposition having already targeted the Bebuling STOLport project, there was no telling how many other major projects slated for the rural community that could be adversely affected if the opposition were to come into power.

“The so-called politicians (from the opposition) are only around when the election is coming – coming to instigate and tell lies and then, disappear if they failed in their bid.

“We, the representatives of the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak)-led government, are here to serve. We mean what we have pledged, and we do not believe in mere rhetoric,” he said.

Uggah also reminded the people that the Sarawak government, under the GPS, had lined up many development programmes run under its RM265-million Agriculture Facilitation Fund.

“We want to introduce modern farming (and) new technologies to make farming a very lucrative job.

“We will set up more agroparks, CPPC (collection-processing-packaging-centres) and wholesale centres, and also strengthen our engagements with the target groups.

“We will mobilise the AFOs (area farmer organisations) to act as buyers and processors of local produce before sending them to the markets.”

Later at the function, Uggah announced the approval of a RM130,000 grant slated for the construction of a futsal field for Rumah Benard, and also an allocation of RM10,000 for the longhouse security and development committee (JKKK).

Earlier in his opening remarks, Agriculture Department Betong Division officer Petrus Kang said 86 participants attended talks on oil palm and pepper cultivation, as well as modern agriculture practices, which were run in connection with the AgriCOP.

He said the next programme would take place in Spaoh.

AgriCOP is now being carried out all across Sarawak, with the objective of forging closer ties between the Agriculture Department and the rural farming community.

Political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Resident Friday Belik and Agriculture Department Sarawak director’s representative Ronald Ripid were also present at the event.