LAWAS: The implementation of the Kampung Aru expansion scheme under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is set to become a key catalyst for comprehensive development in the area, particularly involving villages across the Sundar River here.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the initiative would not only spur physical development but also enhance the socio-economic well-being of local residents in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
“The implementation of this scheme aims to accelerate development and improve the well-being of the local community,” he said when speaking at the Jelajah Aspirasi Bebas Dadah (JABD) Programme at the village recently.
Elaborating further, he noted that several socio-economic projects are also being planned, including the development of modern and commercial paddy cultivation areas, as well as the exploration of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land to generate new sources of income for rural communities.
At the same time, he stressed that physical and economic development must be balanced with strong social development, particularly in efforts to combat the increasingly worrying issue of drug abuse.
According to him, drug-related problems are no longer confined to adults but have also spread among youths and school students, negatively affecting their thinking, health, and productivity.
In this regard, Awang Tengah, who is also Bukit Sari assemblyman, called on the community to play a more proactive role in fighting drugs, rather than relying solely on enforcement agencies.
He also proposed that the police establish hotline numbers in every village to make it easier for residents to channel information on suspicious activities, while strengthening enforcement and expanding the involvement of Anti-Drug Squads, which he described as an effective grassroots initiative.
