KUCHING: Unity among members of the Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) Bau branch is regarded as essential to strengthening the organisation’s role in advocating for Bumiputera entrepreneurs and supporting local economic growth.
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said unity was key to ensuring the organisation continued to grow in strength, visibility and influence.
As a member of the DUBS main body, he said he understood the importance of having a strong organisation capable of raising issues affecting Bumiputera entrepreneurs to the government.
“For years, the main body has been the mouthpiece for Bumiputera entrepreneurs, developers and contractors in Sarawak.
“Because of its unity and strength, its voice has been heard not only by the state government, but also by the federal government,” he said at the closing of the third DUBS Bau annual general meeting in Bau recently.
He said DUBS had consistently put forward proposals for Bumiputera contractors to be involved in projects implemented by the state government, particularly in rural and coastal areas of Sarawak.
He added that DUBS Bau could also grow in strength and influence if it remained united and continued to work closely with the state government.
According to him, projects implemented in Bau District over the past nine years amounted to about RM1.6 billion.
“This funding came entirely from the state government. Who can do that? It is the GPS government.
“I think contractors who have been awarded projects under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) will understand this,” he said.
He said the RM1.6 billion figure was not solely from the RTP but also included other projects directly funded by the state government.
“Some contractors who have benefited from the RTP may be members of DUBS Bau,” he added.
As the Tasik Biru assemblyman, he said he consistently ensured that state government-funded projects, particularly those under the RTP, were sufficient for local contractors in his constituency.
“Part of my responsibility is to protect contractors in my constituency so that they have work in Bau. I believe most of what they earn from these projects is spent locally.
“My aim is for the local economy to continue growing. Besides DUBS members, I also want contractors outside DUBS but registered in Bau to carry out projects here, so that the money circulates within the district.
“I want projects implemented in my constituency to have a positive impact on the local economy, where everyone, including banks, benefits and has spending power,” he said.
However, he stressed that he had no role in awarding contracts, as the tender process was handled by the District Office or the Public Works Department (JKR).
He said he only knew which contractor had been awarded a project after the tender process was completed.
Overall, he said he was satisfied with the performance of local contractors in his constituency, adding that on some occasions he had informed JKR that he wanted the same contractor to be awarded future projects.
“I want them to do it because I am satisfied with the quality of their work. It shows their commitment, and that is what we want,” he said.
He said DUBS Bau could play a significant role in the development and implementation of projects in Bau, adding that it was an effective platform for members to raise issues and submit proposals for consideration by the state government or local authorities.
