SIBU: Stronger cooperation between community leaders and longhouse chiefs is crucial to ensuring the concerns and needs of residents in the Bawang Assan constituency are identified early and addressed more effectively, particularly in relation to basic amenities, infrastructure and welfare.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth chief Kevin Lau said a hands-on approach and face-to-face engagement remained important in allowing leaders to understand the actual challenges faced by communities at the grassroots level.
“Longhouse chiefs played a vital role as they are the leaders closest to the people and understood the needs of their respective longhouse communities.
“Any problems can be discussed together so that we can find solutions to the challenges faced by the people,” he said at a Meet-the-the people session at Rumah Maramat Gelana, Lubok Pelaie, Pasai, near here yesterday (Aug 22).
Lau, who is also Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) councillor overseeing the Pasai-Lubok Pelaie area, said he would continue working closely with the Tuai Rumah to ensure issues raised by residents were brought to the attention of the relevant authorities.
He said close cooperation between councillors and community leaders was particularly important in identifying local priorities, including basic amenities and infrastructure development.
The programme also featured a mobile service counter to assist senior citizens in obtaining information and registering for the RM500 medical assistance provided by the Sarawak government.
Lau said the assistance was available to senior citizens aged 60 and above and could be used within a one-year period for doctor consultations, medication purchases and obtaining medicines from pharmacies.
“I hope senior citizens will take this opportunity to register and benefit from the initiative provided by the Sarawak government.
“Programmes like this serve as an important platform for us to bring government policies and information directly to the people,” said Lau, who is also heads the SUPP Bawang Assan Branch.
On education and welfare, he said the government remained committed to strengthening these areas following the state’s increased revenue through its efforts to secure Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said young people and senior citizens were among the groups receiving attention through various state government initiatives.
Lau added that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education was also being prioritised, including free higher education at Sarawak government-owned institutions for eligible students pursuing STEM-related courses.
“Among the institutions involved are University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Swinburne, i-CATS and Curtin. These are among the efforts by the state government to ensure Sarawakian children have access to quality education,” he said.
On infrastructure, he said the road leading to Rumah Doris and Rumah Augustine Merikan was expected to be upgraded this year using MARRIS funds through SRDC.
He said the allocation was important to ensure rural roads remained properly maintained and in good condition.
“I believe the upgrading works will be carried out this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tuai Rumah Maramat welcomed the programme, describing it as a convenient platform for residents to obtain information and access government assistance.
He urged residents to make full use of the mobile service counter, particularly those eligible for government assistance.
However, he also highlighted several pressing needs at the longhouse, including an electricity supply issue affecting seven doors which have yet to receive connections.
He also appealed for the road leading to the longhouse to be widened, saying its narrow condition had made it difficult for residents to move in and out of the area.
Lau said the concerns raised by community leaders would continue to receive attention as efforts were made to ensure development in Bawang Assan remained comprehensive.
He stressed that development should go beyond infrastructure projects to also include improving access to government services, education, welfare and the overall quality of life of residents.
