Let’s unite and seen to be united to achieve what we seek to achieve: Uggah
MIRI: Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has made a fervent appeal to Sarawakians to support Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
In what sounded like an emotional speech, Uggah said the GPS state government has plans in place to bring Sarawakians to the next level of economic prosperity and political stability.
“GPS needs the support of all Sarawakians. We need participation from all of you. We need you to work with us because only when we are united and seen to be united can we achieve what we seek to achieve,” he said at the 15th Miri Division Gawai Dayak celebration on Saturday night at a leading hotel here.
Uggah, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president, said under the leadership Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg Sarawak has clear targets to achieve.
He said the state will strive to seek the return of its eroded rights as enshrined in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“In the economic front, allocations worth RM1.5 billion have been approved by the Sarawak government to implement infrastructure projects, namely roads, water and electricity supply within the areas.
“Our Chief Minister wants to make sure by the year 2020, issues on development imbalance between the rural and urban areas are narrowed and resolved,” Uggah told the nearly 1,400-strong crowd attending the event.
On the various development programmes for the Highland Development Agency (HDA) areas, Uggah, who is Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said, “We believe the HDA areas can be developed into a development hub. The state government is working hard to bring economic development to the people under the HDA area.”
HDA – an agency set up under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) – aims to bring a faster pace of development to the highland areas, particularly through commercial agriculture production.
Projects under HDA are expected to benefit about 75,000 residents from 244 villages in the Baram constituency which covers an area of 18,462 sq km.
Eight guests including Uggah himself gave allocations totalling RM118,000 to the 15th Miri Division Gawai Dayak committee.
This year’s event was organised by nine Orang Ulu associations.
On Saturday night, 85 students received incentives for their excellent performances in the 2018 UPSR, SPM and STPM.
Next year, the Dayak Association Miri (DAM) will be hosting the 16th edition of the event.
Also present were the event’s patron Deputy Speaker of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly cum Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman, Dennis Ngau who is also Sarawak Kayan Association president (PKS), president of the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak (Forum) Anthonio Kahti Galis, Senator Nuing Jeluing, Acting Miri Resident Nyurak Keti, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Pujut assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting and Miri Mayor Adam Yii.
