SIBU: Close cooperation between residents, community leaders, local authorities, elected representatives and the Sarawak government is a key factor in ensuring that each Rural Transformation Project (RTP) can be implemented smoothly and provide comprehensive benefits to the local community.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan Branch chairman, Kevin Lau Kor Jie said that each project under the RTP can only be realised when all parties play their respective roles, starting from identifying the needs of the residents to the project implementation process.
“Each party has its own role. Residents voice their needs, community leaders and council members bring suggestions, while the government provides allocations. This cooperation is what allows the RTP project to be implemented smoothly and provide benefits to the entire community,” he said when officiating at the ceremony for the completion of the Road Expansion Project in conjunction with the Ngiling Tikai celebration at Rumah Thomas Palus, Ulu Sebedil, near here, on Saturday.
He said that the road expansion project at the longhouse proves that a strong spirit of cooperation can solve problems that have long been faced by residents, especially regarding the lack of parking spaces at the longhouse.
According to Lau, RTP is an initiative of the Sarawak government to resolve various issues faced by the people through the implementation of development projects based on real needs.
He said that the project proposal started from the residents’ requests before being submitted through councillors and party members to SUPP president, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, then to Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for approval under the RTP.
He also explained that RTP funds are used to build facilities that can be enjoyed together by all longhouse residents, including the provision of wider and more comfortable parking areas.
In the meantime, Lau called for the spirit of unity and family values that are the identity of the Iban community to continue to be preserved because they are the foundation for the harmony of the multi-racial community in Sarawak.
“The Ngiling Tikai celebration not only symbolises the end of the Gawai season, but also becomes a symbol of unity that needs to be passed on to the younger generation.
“The stability and unity of the people will further strengthen the Sarawak government’s efforts in fighting for the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), thus enabling more state revenue to be channelled back to the people through various development and welfare programmes,” added Lau, who is also SUPP Youth chief.
Also present were Johnny Sain representing Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bawang Assan Branch chief Romeo Christopher Tegong, Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) secretary Ng Siang Wei, Tuai Rumah Thomas Palus and other invited guests.
