Incumbent:
Anyi Ngau (BN-SPDP)
Last 05 May, 2013 Election Result:
1. Anyi Ngau (BN-SPDP): 9,182 votes
2. Roland Engan (PR-PKR): 8,988 votes
3. Patrick Sibat Sujang (IND): 363 votes
Majority : 194 votes
The parliamentary constituency of Baram (220) is represented by Anyi Ngau of the Barisan Nasional (BN). He is from People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In the 13th general election (GE13) in 2013, Anyi polled 9,182 votes against Roland Engan of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) who polled 8,988 votes. Baram comprises the State constituencies of Marudi, Telan Usan and the new seat of Mulu which are represented by Datuk Dr Pengguang Manggil (BN-PDP), Dennis Ngau (BN-PBB) and Datuk Gerawat Gala (BN-PBB) respectively. Ulu Baram is where about 64% of the nomadic, semi-settled and settled Penan reside, numbering about 11,000. Many have chosen to settle in villages under the BN government’s programme and have access to medical care, education and other facilities.
Logging roads in the Baram area have been upgraded under the BN government’s RM300 million allocation. Baram today is different from what it was a decade ago. Just a few years back, it was considered Sarawak’s backwater area isolated from mainstream development. However, due to the BN government’s agenda to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas, Baram has now seen some concrete changes and this positive development will continue in the years to come. Long Lama Bridge According to Temenggung Elizebeth Deng, the Long Lama Bridge initiated by the late Tok Nan (Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem, Sarawak’s Fifth Chief Minister) is a big gift to the people of Baram. When completed, it will change the landscape of Long Lama and the whole district in general.
site of Long Lama Bridge to monitor its progress.
Marudi on the eve of the State election in 2016.
“The bridge will spur development in the area, especially in tourism and other economic related activities,” she said. “With the completion of the bridge, we hope it will be accompanied by better infrastructure and road networks. I believe the new administration under Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari will continue the good policy. I believe he too has a soft spot for the Orang Ulu community,” Elizebeth added. The long awaited bridge is very much welcomed by the community here. It will mark another milestone of historical development since the establishment of Long Lama more than a hundred years ago.
Work on the RM115 million two lane bridge is now 30 per cent in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Once completed, the slow and inconvenient ferry service connecting Long Lama and Baram will be a thing of the past. When approached by New Sarawak Tribune, Telang Usan Assemblyman Dennis Ngau was optimistic the Lama Bridge would become a platform to change not only the physical landscape but also the social-economic landscape of Baram. He believed that the strong support from the grassroots of Baram has contributed to make the project a reality. Marudi Waterfront Project Work on the RM23 million waterfront project in Marudi is expected to commence by the end of 2017.
At this moment, the proposed project is still in the tendering process. Marudi Assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil who is also the Assistant Minister for Local Government, said the proposed project will be undertaken by Public Works Department (JKR).
The proposed waterfront stretches from the government wharf to the Sarawak Rivers Board terminal office, covering a length of some 300 metres to form part of the 7.6-acre Marudi Town Square Esplanade. Digital Development Chief Minister Abang Johari said the state government will not sideline Baram from the digital development. Sarawak is embarking on an ambitious project to give broadband coverage to the rural areas and Baram is no exception.
An allocation of RM1 billion had been announced and despite the challenges posed by its physical terrain, the state government will do all it can to make sure that Baram has access to high-speed Internet service.
As a pioneer project, the state government will provide good connectivity access to the students of SMK Temenggong Datuk Lawai Jau and Long San community by the end of this year.
Through the Public Works Department (PWD) the State government will also install Hybrid and Solar power supply to provide 24 hours electricity and high Internet access.
The project was announced by Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari during his visit to Long San recently. Baram has also been earmarked for some exciting tourism and resource-based developments under the massive RM200 billion Sarawak Corrider of Renewable Energy (SCORE) project which was started in 2008.
