KAPIT: Kapit is no longer an island within the island of Borneo, thanks to the 110km Sibu-Kapit road, says Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.
The Deputy Chief Minister said in the past, it was difficult to reach Kapit and “(Chief Minister) Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has proven to the world and critics that he can travel from Sibu to Kapit on a motorbike.
“Thank you, CM. You (have) proven a point…nobody will criticise that there is no road to Kapit,” Masing said at a dinner at Kapit Civic Centre, Sunday evening (Oct 4).
“57 years after Merdeka, still there is no road. I, together with the other YBs (elected representatives), including Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, requested so many times for the funds to be given to us.
“We even asked from Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who was then Rural Development Minister…he promised us that he will give us the funds, but before that happened, Barisan Nasional lost in the 14th General Election. So, we missed out on the funds again.”
Masing, who is also the Baleh assemblyman, said fortunately, Abang Johari decided to allocate the funds in order to complete the Sibu-Kapit road.
“Many people say that Abang Johari is just full of hot air. No, he has given us the funds to develop Kapit, not only for roads but also water and electricity.”
Abang Johari had also agreed to approve an allocation of RM58 million for the development of a landscape and heritage project, added Masing.
He hit out at Parti Sarawak Bersatu for saying that there was no development brought by him in Kapit.
“That is wrong, don’t ‘nundi’ (disturb) us like that, if you want to fight Gabungan Parti Sarawak, tell the truth.
“The roads and bridges that you use to go to Tunoh are all built by the Sarawak government. So, do not…step on other people’s head in order to be above the crowd.
“Just tell the truth, and from there, the people will surely support you,” said Masing.
