BETONG: Betong can explore the possibility of creating a niche in eco-tourism due to its great tourism and modern agriculture potential that are waiting to be exploited, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said although Betong had developed so much over the years, its economy had hinged on its oil palm and rubber plantations.
“The time has come for us to move forward by diversifying on our growth base.
“Let us tap into tourism and modern agriculture on the huge tract of land that we have in our hinterlands in Betong, Spaoh and Debak as well,” he said when attending a Chinese New Year gathering organised by the Betong Buddha Association here Saturday night.
Present were Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, a political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Resident Friday Belik and the chairman of the association Patrick Own.
“We have places like historical Bukit Sadok which can be developed for adventure and nature-loving tourists while crocodile watching packages can be done in Sungai Layar and Sungai Paku now teeming with the creature,” he said.
Uggah said, with the new Sarawak coastal trunk road passing through Betong, more people from outside would visit the town.
On modern agriculture, he said the new potentials were in fruit and vegetable farming and in livestock rearing, which could reduce the state’s dependence on oil palm and rubber cultivation.
Uggah also suggested that a committee be formed to chart out the town and division development in a more holistic and planned manner.
“We can bring in the various associations and organisations and government agencies to sit together in this committee,” he said, adding that he did not mind chairing the committee. – Bernama
