BETONG: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Betong Zone has called for the establishment of a Coastal Development Authority.
Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi who presented the proposal said the development authority would serve to manage and develop coastal areas in the state.
“If agreed, the board or agency would be chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg along with state representatives and coastal area professionals as its members,” he said.
He was presenting the motion gathered from 14 PBB branches who attended the PBB Betong Zone mini convention here on Saturday.
Julaihi, who is also PBB vice-president, said the delegates supported the state government’s efforts to intensify the implementation of infrastructure projects to connect the whole state.
“This includes the construction of coastal roads and bridges, the Second Trunk Road and the Border Security Road as well as spur roads,” he said.
Julaihi also proposed for the state government to develop agroparks in each of the constituencies in Sarawak.
“Should the land sites for this purpose be difficult to obtain, we would suggest that the state government identify and acquire land owned by private parties including farmland at 5,000 to 10,000 hectares in each constituency for this purpose,” said Julaihi.
He added that the delegates also proposed for the state government to set up a collecting, processing and packaging centre (CPCC) in addition to creating more downstream products in strategic areas outside of the city.
PBB Betong Zone also requested for the Sarawak government to conduct an in-depth study on flood problems in the coastal, inland and urban areas.
Additionally, Julaihi also presented a proposal for the state government to intensify the construction of telecommunication towers and upgrading of service providers in rural areas to 4G standard in an effort to improve ‘internet penetration’ in the state.
