BARAM: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved an allocation of RM400,000 for the development of a gallery or heritage centre at Long Terawan.
The intended purpose of this centre is to display historical artefacts as well as awards won by locals, including in water sports such as the Baram Regatta.
Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala said the Berawan community of Long Terawan and the Sungai Tutoh areas were renowned as the champion of boat races and were referred to as ‘Raja Baram’.
“The gallery plan has already been designed and the estimated cost is RM400,000.”
Abang Johari said the allocation for this gallery or heritage centre is among a list of requests received from Long Terawan locals through their councillor.
He noted that another request was for the repair of the road from Kampung Long Terawan through Kampung Long Atip.
“This will be considered,” he said when officiating at the launch of the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MYSRBN) in Long Terawan here today.
Earlier, Gerawat elaborated more on the requested repair works for the road from Long Terawan, Long Bangan, Long Win, and Long Atip — a 31-km stretch which would facilitate the connection between the villages to Long Lama.
“This is for the meantime while waiting for what has been planned for the long term.”
With regard to the request relating to agriculture and livestock projects, Abang Johari said this would be arranged along with the use of the Internet to facilitate sales to other areas.
As for the request to conduct native customary rights land perimeter surveys under Section 6 and then Section 18 in Kampung Long Terawan, he said he would instruct the Land and Survey Department to do so.
“However, sometimes certain quarters like to twist matters — when we survey, there are people who claim the government wants to seize the land.
“This is proof that the people request for these surveys to be carried out, and not that the government wants to seize these lands,” he said, assuring that the rest of the requests would be discussed with Gerawat.
Gerawat said he had also informed the chief minister on the issue of irrigation, explaining that as the RM10 million Long Terawan water treatment plant may take two years or more to be built, there is a current need for a gravity feed system. He had asked the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to investigate how to repair the piping involved.
“JBALB has recommended repairs, which will cost RM400,000.”
