KUCHING: Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) has failed to realise the impact of the construction of the Second Trunk Road (STR) to the local economy and the people’s livelihood, a political secretary to the Chief Minister said today.
Responding to Entulu’s criticism of the STR, Edwin Banta said the road was not a waste of resources, adding that Entulu was wrong to oppose its construction.
“The people of Sg Bekikik, Sg Kua/Nanga Arau, and Ulu Selangau can testify to the hardship they are currently facing due to the uncompleted roads under the tenure of Datuk Joseph Entulu.
“Due to the uncompleted road projects, (the people in these areas) have been experiencing various problems such as difficulty to market their farm products, send their children to school, get proper health care, and subsequently causing a problem of mass rural-urban migration,” he said in a statement.
He said that Entulu, who is from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), should have shown greater concern for rural development in Selangau when he was Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
“He could have requested for more allocations for road and rural development for his area,” he said.
Additionally, Banta said that Entulu should have improved internet connectivity for the benefit of the rural youth in Selangau.
“Hence, as an experienced veteran politician, I would humbly advise Datuk Joseph Entulu to support the STR so that the people of the affected areas can reap the benefits of the proposed project,” he said.
