MIRI: For the period of five years, since 2017, the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) had given out grants totalling RM34,111,000 for 234 projects for Miri division.
According to Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, another RM9, 720,000 was meant for 11 ‘Projek Rakyat’ which had been dispensed. Thus this brought the total to RM43,831,000 for all the 245 projects.
He said Miri, like other cities and towns in the state, is benefitting a great deal under this policy of inclusivity through UNIFOR.
“I would like to reassure Miri folk that their people’s needs are always close to my heart. For instance under the Post COVID -19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), one of its pillars is social inclusivity,” he said at the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Association (FCA)’s Chinese New Year open house celebration on Saturday night.
Abang Johari’s text of speech was read out by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who came on his behalf.
Under this PCDS -2030 too, he added, there are a number of catalytic projects.
“Among them is the enhancing of port productivity and service efficiency in the state. In this respect, I have announced earlier of my approval of a project to dredge, deepen and build training bunds on both sides of the Kuala Baram Access Channel leading to Miri Port Terminal,” the Premier said.
“With a deepened and improved depth by -five metre chart datum (CD) plus the tidal range of 2.0 to 2.5 metres, 70 per cent of vessels can ply the Kuala Baram channel and Miri Port can handle container ships up to 1000 TEUs (length 160 metres) as compared to the present of about 100 TEUs only,” he added.
Abang Johari disclosed that this project, for which an estimated sum of RM238 million has been allocated, will help to mitigate flooding problems in Marudi and upper Baram areas.
“When completed, it will also be a new lifeline for more industrial activities including the small and medium size industries. This will contribute to lower shipping, transportation and logistic costs which translate to lowering costs to the consumers,” he said.
Thus, Abang Johari envisaged that it has great potentials for economic growth.
“With the setting up of own gas and oil exploration company namely the Petroleum Sarawak Berhad or PETROS, we will be exploring how we can further develop the oil and gas industry in Miri, including on land – Miri’s oil and gas industry in fact started on land in 1910 and moved offshore in the 1970s. PETROS is planning to re-visit the potentials on land, apart from offshore activities,” he concluded.
Also present at the FCA’s Chinese New Year open house were were Minister for Transport Sarawak Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development I (Women and Childhood Development) Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government I (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Consulate General of China in Kuching was represented by Deputy Consulate of China, Song Chang Hon , Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang and FCA’s president Datuk David Goh.
