BETONG: The proposed short take-off and landing airport (STOLport) in Bebuling, Spaoh near here is on track.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a contractor had been recently picked for its construction.
He said this when launching his Bukit Saban constituency series of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) roadshow at Rh Lawrence Ludan in Luban Ulu, Spaoh near here yesterday.
He, however, declined to name the contractor concerned, saying the final verification and processing are still ongoing.
“I am confident the construction work can begin in two months’ time,” he said.
The airport, one of the two such STOLports, is estimated to cost the state government about RM108 million.
Uggah, who is also Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said the airport was a crucial factor in the area designated as part of the Sadok Agropolitan area.
“Any farm products can be airlifted soonest to the markets.
“It is the government’s policy to buy whatever is produced by farmers so nothing goes to waste,” he said.
Uggah called on landowners to start preparing their land for modern and commercial agriculture.
“You can do this on your own or go through joint-ventureships with big companies.
“If you want to go on your own, please consider modern farming methods like fertigation or hydroponics.
“The Department of Agriculture (DoA) can assist with the training, among other things,” he said.
Uggah said such modern agriculture could generate many job and stable income opportunities.
“It is after all the primary objective of the GPS government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to better develop rural areas in the state.
“It is also its objective to provide more income to rural areas, thus reducing the income gap between town and rural areas,” he commented while adding that Abang Johari, too, had allocated a budget of RM797 million to further develop and strengthen the state’s agriculture sector this year.
On politics, Uggah, who is a deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), called on the GPS supporters to continue making Betong Division an enduring fortress of the ruling state government.
“In the past, voters here had overwhelmingly given their support to the then state Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
“Now we have left the BN and formed our own GPS government.
“Let us give our strongest support to GPS in its efforts to firstly upgrade the socio-economic status of the rural dwellers and to protect the state rights and wealth,” he said.
Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, who also spoke, said the current political problem in the Peninsular Malaysia where the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had collapsed had no bearing on the state GPS government.
“We are not part of the PH government but we will leave it to Abang Johari to make any necessary decision on behalf of the state,” he said.
