SPAOH: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (MRRD) has given the approval to expand PROSPEK (Integrated Village Development and Economic Project), including the Betong Division.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said that he requested this expansion from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a Gawai event at Rh. Enteri Lengkoi in Samu earlier this year.
Zahid, who’s also the MRRD minister, was the special guest at the event.
He said this during a community gathering at Rh. Mendit Unsu in Penom on Sunday.
Uggah said that this expansion comes with a budget of RM9 million.
But, before they start, he said they will do a thorough study to figure out the best ways to make PROSPEK workable in this area.
“This is a big chance for the people here to get more benefits from the government’s plans and projects.
“We created the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) to bring in more progress and prosperity.
“Now with PROSPEK, it’ll make BDDA’s work even better.
“We’ll have more money for development. And more importantly, we’ll have good ways to grow the local economy,” he said.
Uggah added that Betong Division is now the third location in Sarawak to join the PROSPEK initiative, after Matu and Lawas Districts.
Meanwhile, he also said about BDDA’s focus on local tourism.
“We want to capitalise the story of our great warrior and nationalist, Rentap,” said Uggah.
He said that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Rahman Johari Tun Openg has given RM16 million to improve the tourism here.
One of the big projects is building a road to Bukit Sadok, where Rentap’s fort used to be.
According to Uggah, they are also planning to make a replica of Rentap’s fortress.
“We want to start building both things this year and finish in two years,” he said.
Also present were Betong MP Dr. Richard Rapu, and the Political Secretary to the Premier Roseline Mapong.
