KUCHING: The Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) is focusing on income-generating initiatives, earmarking RM82 million for such projects.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is BDDA chairman said however, only RM15.5 million will be utilised this year.
He said this when meeting with various stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, the Veterinary Services Department Sarawak, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, and the Farmers’ Organisation, held at his office yesterday.
The objective of the meeting was to identify potential programmes and projects aimed at increasing income, particularly in modern agriculture and tourism sectors.
“Time is not on our side. So, we hope we can implement our programmes and projects as scheduled. We too have decided not to allow bureaucratic procedures to delay us,” he said.
Uggah said BDDA’s initiatives and its RM1.5 billion development allocation is known to members of the public.
“They obviously want to feel the impacts and the benefits soon. We, the elected representatives in the agency area, will do the best that we can. But at the same time, we want everyone to give us their fullest collaboration and cooperation,” he added.
Additionally, plans for enhancing tourism, including events like the Kabong International Kite Festival and eco-tourism initiatives, were discussed.
Uggah reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting residents in becoming high-income earners by 2030, aligning with Sarawak’s designation as a high-income region by the World Bank.
Also present were local assemblymen Friday Belik (Krian), Razaili Gapor (Beting Maro), Mohamad Duri (Kalaka); a political secretary to the Premier, Roseline Mapong; Betong Resident Richard Micheal Abunawas and BDDA special task officer Abang Mohamad Abang Turkey.
