Call to bring Tubau into mainstream development

BINTULU: The Tubau area in Murum state constituency still needs more development to ensure that the people there are not left out of today’s modernity.

Deputy Minister of Digital and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said that although the Tubau area has transformed a lot and experienced the current wave of development, there are some longhouses residents who still use boats as a mode of transport to reach their longhouses.

 As such, he urged the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to construct the Jalan Ulu Tubau and Jalan Ulu Jelalong.

 This, he said, is because currently residents still use dirt roads and boats to reach their longhouses.

 “I also understand that the Bintulu Development Board (BDA) and the Bintulu Rural Development Committee have been given the responsibility to implement these projects.

 “Therefore, I hope that the BDA will be able to expedite the implementation and planning that has not been or has been approved,” he said.

 He said this when speaking at the Ngiling Tikai Gawai Dayak 2024 ceremony at Rumah Lichong Along, Sungai Sebutin, Tubau, on Sunday.

Ugak added that the approval for the implementation of the project would certainly make it easier for the residents to go to the town in addition to being able to save fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

 On a separate issue, he also gave assurance to bring the application for increasing the number of community leaders for the Tubau area to a higher level.

He said the increase in the number of community leaders was important not only to facilitate the smooth administration of the grassroots leadership, but also due to the increasing number of residents in Tubau.

 “In addition, we also request that a sub-district be created for Tubau (New township).  This will benefit the residents of this area so that it is easier to deal with government offices and also have fully equipped facilities such as markets, health clinics, banks and so on,” he said.

 Parti Rakyat Sarawak PRS president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications (Telecommunications) and Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investments and Batang Ai assemblyman Datuk Malcom Mussen Lamoh, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and Bintulu Resident Nyurak Keti were among those present.