MARUDI: Assistant Minister of Local Government, Datu Dr. Penguang anak Manggil said the federal government had allocated RM3 million which was pledged during the campaign in the last election for projects in Beluru.
Part of the total allocation was channelled to longhouses, he said.
At the same time Penguang said RM100 million had been allocated by the federal government to implement various projects for the people in Marudi including RM23 million to build Marudi waterfront, to upgrade the Miri / Marudi road (RM77.4 million) and recently the government approved RM8 million to make embankment in front of the fort.
As such he said the Federal departments are also playing an important role to serve the local community.
“I welcome the cooperation and support of the Federal department to me over the years and I hope we can work at any time for the good of the people in this area, he said.
Penguang who is also Marudi State Assemblyman stressed the role of each federal department is very important and advised people to strengthen their relationship and to cooperate well in whatever they do.
“I know not all staff support the BN and it’s your choice whether to support BN or vice versa,” said Penguang when speaking at the Solidarity Dinner of Marudi Wisma Federal Staff at a leading restaurant Sunday.
“However, we need to remind ourselves that as citizens and serving in the respective government departments that we should play an important role and convey positive information to the people.
He stressed that as representative of the people and he always strived to do his best for the people to overcome the difficulties they faced.
“The federal government added another RM9.3 million for the same embankment (benteng) in the fort area, RM3.5 million to refurbish Fort Hose,” he added on information pertaining to the amount the federal government had spent to elevate the living standard of Marudi residents.
At the same time, Penguang said that he would bring the chief minister at an appropriate time to Marudi to announce something big that has been long awaited by people of Marudi.
“That’s the plan that I try do in bringing more development to Marudi and I will never cease to develop and upgrade the Marudi / Mulu road,” he said.
He added, besides the Marudi / Mulu road there is also the possibility of the Pan Borneo highway to pass through the road to Marudi.
Meanwhile, Penguang said he will instruct the village leaders to update each village profile as part of the preparation to upgrade Marudi into a division in the future.
“I believe if we are able to cooperate, Marudi will definitely be upgraded as a division by 2019 and I hope that our dream will become a reality,” added Penguang.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Marudi Information Officer and Chairman of the Coordination Committee and the Building Maintenance Marudi Wisma Federal, Joseph James.
Also present were Datin Monica Ukong Jaya, Marudi District Officer Mackos Sibong, Marudi District Council Secretary Petrick Linggi anak Taboh, Marudi District Council Chairman, Councillor Edward Sendai and community leaders.
