By Amyra Varkisa & Jacintha Jolene
KANOWIT: The Rascom Development Agency (RASDA) will be established with an allocation of RM1.5 billion in funds from the Sarawak Government, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari disclosed this in his speech during a meet-the-people session at Rumah Andrew Karani, Nanga Ngungun, here today (Nov 18).
He said the establishment of RASDA will allow for a more systematic development of the four former Rajang Area Security Command (RASCOM) resettlement areas in Kanowit and Selangau.
“You know what this concept (development agencies) is? This concept is that we empower. We give power to the people at the grassroots level to develop their area and not depend on the secretariat in Kuching.
“Hence, through this (RASDA), we need to plan our development. Before this, we didn’t plan it correctly….. I am very fair (in development), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is very fair,” he said.
Abang Johari noted that RASDA projects will be planned by state leaders from Selangau and Kanowit areas together with the community.
“They will plan it and discuss it with the community in the area. This includes the upgrading of logging roads.
“You are the one who knows better which road needs to be improved. People in Kuching and Malaya don’t know. Only people in Sarawak know what we want,” he said.
Abang Johari said that GPS will seek more funding from the federal government for the development of Sarawak.
“We can ask for more funds from the federal government because we pay for the taxes. Before this we had no strategic planning. Now, I have strategic planning (for Sarawak) so that we can develop our rural area,” he said.
Meanwhile, during the session, Abang Johari also presented UNIFOR allocation to Kanowit Methodist Iban Church (RM70,000) and Rantau Dilang Methodist Church (RM30,000).
Abang Johari also presented two business grants under the Welfare Department worth RM5,000 each to two recipients and Kenyalang Gold cards to 9 senior citizens in the area.
Also present were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana, Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang, Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong and Kanowit Incumbent Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
