Closer cooperation key to driving development in Bawang Assan

SIBU: Stronger cooperation among community leaders, community chiefs and residents is crucial to ensuring that more development and benefits reach the people of Bawang Assan.

Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) Standing Committee chairman for Environment and Public Health Councillor Kevin Lau Kor Jie said close collaboration among all stakeholders was essential to identifying community needs and addressing local issues effectively.

He said the meet-the-people programme was more than just a platform for social interaction, as it also provided an opportunity for leaders to listen directly to the concerns of residents at the grassroots level.

“Every such programme is meaningful because it gives us an opportunity to come together, not only to strengthen our relationships, but more importantly, to discuss the issues and problems faced by the community and seek solutions together.

“What is even more meaningful is when residents take the time to attend because through gatherings like this, we are able to understand their needs more closely,” he said when speaking at the programme held at Rumah Melissa Gendu, Sungai Aup, Batang Igan here on Sunday (Oct 4).

Lau, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth chief, said the Ketua Masyarakat and Ketua Kaum (KMKK) played a vital role as a bridge between the community and the government, given their close contact with residents and first-hand understanding of local issues.

He stressed that such cooperation should involve KMKK from all communities, regardless of ethnic background, including the Iban, Chinese and Malay communities.

“As councillors, I have always said that we must work closely with the KMKK. They are closest to the community, and together we can deliver services and find solutions to the challenges faced by residents.”

Lau also highlighted unity as a key foundation for taking Bawang Assan and Sibu towards greater development and prosperity.

He said the ruai, or communal area of a longhouse, was a strong symbol of unity and togetherness that should continue to be preserved.

“Whenever I arrive at a longhouse ruai, I always say that the ruai is a symbol of unity that we should be proud of.

“During festivals, everyone returns here and guests are warmly welcomed in the same ruai. This spirit is something we must continue to uphold together.”

Lau said the same spirit of cooperation was also reflected in efforts to strengthen healthcare facilities and services for the people of Sarawak.

Among the initiatives, he said, were the development of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Kuching and improvements to medical facilities at Sibu Hospital.

He said strengthening healthcare infrastructure was important to ensure people, particularly those living in rural areas and the central region of Sarawak, could gain access to medical services closer to home.

“Sibu Hospital does not only serve the people of Sibu. It also receives patients from the central region, including Kapit, Mukah and Sarikei.”

Lau also highlighted the availability of MRI facilities at Sibu Hospital through cooperation between the Sarawak Government, Sarawak Heart Foundation and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).

He said the facility would help patients undergo cardiac-related examinations and treatment without having to travel to Kuching.

On development in Bawang Assan, Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan Branch chairman, said several projects under the Rural Transformation Project (RTP) had already been implemented, including the provision of a car park at Rumah Francis in the Aup area.

He expressed hope that more development could be channelled to the area through continued cooperation among community leaders and residents.

“I hope that in the future, if I am entrusted with greater responsibility by the Premier, we can do even more for the Bukit Aup area.

“What I want to see is for the areas in Bawang Assan to be developed and become part of Sibu’s overall development. That is our intention, and we sincerely want to work together with everyone, including the longhouse chiefs and the community, to achieve this goal.”

He stressed that development should ultimately translate into a better quality of life for residents while strengthening unity among communities of different ethnicities and faiths.

“We will be the bridge to channel the issues and problems faced by the community so that they can be resolved one by one for the benefit of the people here.”

Meanwhile, longhouse headwoman Melissa Gendu said the presence of leaders on the ground through programmes such as this was meaningful as it gave residents an opportunity to interact with them, exchange views and voice their needs directly.

She hoped such programmes would continue to serve as a platform for strengthening ties between leaders and the people while fostering greater understanding for the wellbeing of the community.

Melissa also expressed her appreciation to Lau and the Jalan Quarry JKKK, led by Kapitan Tan Ching Teck, for their efforts in making the programme a success.

Meanwhile, Sibu Division Iban Paramount Chief Temenggong Stanley Geramong Bandar who was also present, thanked the KMKK from Aup, Engkalat, Pasir Mas and Sungai Bidut for their participation.

He said the programme provided an avenue for longhouse chiefs, relevant agencies and members of the community to strengthen ties and exchange views.

He urged all parties to continue making use of such platforms, which he said could benefit the community while strengthening cooperation among local KMKK and stakeholders.