by Jane Moh, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on March 13, 2013, Wednesday
KAPIT: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud suggested the setting up of a special committee to draw up a regional master plan for the proper and systematic development of Kapit division.
Taib who is also Resource Planning and Environment Minister said the committee should comprise Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Land Development Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing and all the Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives from Kapit, Song and Belaga.
The committee, he added, would enable its members to deliberate on how best Kapit Division could be further developed for the benefit of the people in the long term.
“The master plan is important as Kapit could serve as an operation centre and a springboard to Tunoh in the Balleh area where a new township had been proposed to be created. Tunoh is a good place for the future development of Kapit as the land there is suitable for agricultural and tourism purposes.
“It would also complement the planned Balleh Hydro Electric Dam project in the near future,” said Taib when officiating at the Leader-Meet-the-people session cum the Launch of the RM116 million Kemantan-Kapit Transmission Line at the Kapit Civic Centre yesterday.
Also present were Assistant Minister for Public Utilities Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Uttom, Assistant Minister for Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo apart from Jabu.
Taib noted that the rough geographical terrain of the division posed as an obstacle to the development of Kapit, thus rendering it unsuitable for large scale plantation projects.
The Chief Minister explained that the situation in the Kapit division was similar to upper Baram and therefore the constructions of hydro electric dams were crucial to accelerate their development tempo.
On the coming 13th general elections, he called on the people to continue supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, adding that Najib had contributed immensely to the development of Sarawak since he was made the prime minister almost four years ago.
Thus far, Najib had allocated some RM3.5 billion worth of projects to the state which reflected his sincerity and concern to the state, he pointed out.
“As such, the people must support the present government under Najib and not to cast their votes based on individuals to ensure that stability and progress would prevail,” reminded Taib.
On the request by Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi for a multi-storey car-park to be built for Kapit to ease the parking woes, Taib agreed to the request while highlighting that a low-interest loan scheme would be given to the Kapit District Council to enable it to take up the project.
Later, he signed a digital plaque to officially launch the 132kv transmission line from Kemantan Sarikei to Kapit. The 150 km line, which started on Aug 8, 2012 serves more than 6,000 customers in Kapit.
Nanta who also spoke believed that the people here were relieved that the project had been completed.
The RM116 million project by Sarawak Energy Berhad will benefit 6000 households and the business community here.
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