SPAOH: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Election Director Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is confident the coalition will continue to retain Betong parliamentary seat this Saturday (Nov 19).
He was very satisfied with the great response to the GPS candidate Dr Richard Rapu so far.
“The people we have met are very happy and enthusiastic of GPS and Dr Richard. Some have been very emotional in expressing and pledging their support.
“I believe we will replicate our successes in Bukit Saban, Layar and Saribas seats in last year’s state election,” Uggah said this when meeting village security and development committees and village chiefs from Malay kampung here today.
Despite this optimism, he cautioned all not to be complacent and everyone must continue to work hard to maintain the momentum.
Uggah who is Deputy Premier said Betong voters and people had everything to gain with GPS victory.
The GPS, he said, through the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), is in the process of implementing RM200 million worth of development projects and programmes each in Layar , Bukit Saban and Saribas constituencies.
“Next year we will fine tune and decide on the priorities. Let us not put a spanner in the works by voting a non GPS person,” he stressed.
Uggah said a vote for the GPS candidate in Betong is also a vote for Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg who heads GPS.
“He has been responsible for the many good things we are currently enjoying in the state.
“Let us continue to further strengthen our GPS government by having more representatives in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Let Betong contribute one GPS Member of Parliament (MP) there,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Richard said he was very grateful for all the help rendered toward his candidacy.
He said if he won, among other things, he would want to develop Spaoh further with Uggah so that it could be elevated to a district in the near future.
When visiting a longhouse Rh. Jame Unggot in Lubok Kelampu in Paku here last night, Uggah also told the Iban audience that if the opposition managed to capture Betong, it would not be easy to take it back in the next election.
Worst still, he said, the people would be left to fend for themselves as the opposition or independent were incapable of really helping them.
Uggah also said the GPS government had in place numerous assistance to the rural folks.
“We set aside a sum of RM50 million each year for the longhouse loan scheme.
“Each eligible applicant will get RM30,000 of interest free loan to build or repair his unit of the longhouse,” he said.
