BALINGIAN assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi has called for urgent and coordinated government intervention to resolve a series of pressing issues affecting his constituency.
He said the concerns, ranging from fishermen’s livelihood and infrastructure to education, telecommunications and public safety must be addressed “fairly, timely and amicably” for the well-being of the people.
“These matters touch on livelihood, safety, development and community well-being.
“I earnestly hope they will be resolved in a fair, timely and amicable manner,” he said this when debating on the 2026 Sarawak Budget at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Abdul Yakub highlighted the anxiety among local fishermen in Kuala Balingian and Mukah following recent detentions by enforcement authorities.
He urged that enforcement be carried out with discretion, noting that coastal communities depend heavily on marine resources.
At the same time, he said persistent public perception that foreign fishermen continue to intrude into local waters must be addressed with stronger and more comprehensive enforcement.
Among the most urgent concerns raised was the long-delayed construction of SMK Balingian, which he said has deprived local students of timely access to proper secondary education.
“The SMK Balingian project has been delayed for far too long. It must be expedited for the sake of our children,” he stressed.
He also pressed for immediate measures to stabilise the treated water supply, which remains inconsistent in several areas.
Other infrastructure needs include upgrading the Skim Pembesaran Kampung (SPK) areas in Jebungan Phase 2, Tabo, Tutus Hilir and Kuala Balingian, mitigating critical riverbank erosion in multiple villages, and expanding coastal roads into dual carriageways to accommodate rising heavy traffic.
Abdul Yakub also proposed several upgrades to government services in Balingian, including the establishment of an APM Operations Control Centre, upgrading the Community Fire Station, providing regular training for volunteer firefighters and deploying a full-time supervisory officer at Mini Stadium Balingian.
He also raised concerns over the rising number of foreign workers, which has caused unease among residents regarding safety and social issues.
In addition, he highlighted frequent telecommunications disruptions and vandalism of network equipment, calling for stricter enforcement and regular maintenance.
Updates were also sought on the Balingian Boutique Hotel approved in 2022, the RM10 million Resthouse Balingian project, and the sago liquid waste treatment pilot plant in Kampung Teh Tabo, which has yet to begin operations despite installation works being completed.
For road safety and mobility, he proposed designated parking areas for heavy vehicles and the identification of proper transit points for buses.
He added that the people of Balingian are eager to know the progress of the Second Mukah Bridge.
While pressing for solutions to local issues, Abdul Yakub reaffirmed his full support for the Sarawak Budget 2026, describing it as “bold, strategic and people-oriented”.
He praised the State’s strong development commitments, particularly in agriculture, SME growth, education, human capital development, environmental sustainability and rural advancement.
He also suggested constructing covered walkways connecting public parking areas to the DUN complex, noting that hundreds of officers, media personnel and visitors currently walk under the heat or rain.
“Though small in scale, this enhancement would significantly improve accessibility and reflect our commitment to making the DUN a people-friendly institution,” he said.
