Snowdan hopes for increased allocation to drive rural development

KUCHING: As the tabling of the 2025 state budget draws closer, Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan hopes to see allocations directed toward advancing rural development, such as in his constituency, Balai Ringin.

“We’re expecting that some portion of the budget will go toward spurring development in rural areas like ours.

“Balai Ringin has a solid growth foundation, but more support is certainly needed,” he said.

Snowdan oversees more than 6,000 households in Balai Ringin, where nearly all homes have access to electricity. However, ensuring a consistent treated water supply remains a priority.

He said that over RM100 million has already been approved for the first phase of a major water supply project, which is now out for tender.

Another RM100 million is set for the second phase, which will expand the network from Serian to Balai Ringin, Simunjan, and Pantu.

“Recently, the budget for the water supply has been approved at over RM100 million, and it’s already out for tender, but that is just the first phase.

“The second phase will be coming next year, where another RM100 million or so will be used to connect my area from Serian to Simunjan and Pantu, so that means we will have enough treated water supply to all the houses,” he said to Sarawak Tribune during the What About Kuching (WAK) festival 2024 appreciation dinner on Thursday at the Dewan Sri Mahligai here.

Beyond water infrastructure, he said that ongoing road construction and a new administrative centre are set to serve the people more effectively.
“Other than that, all new roads are being built now and we will have a new administrative centre that will help to administer all of my constituency,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, he expressed optimism for a larger budget allocation to fuel new projects for Sarawak.

“Of course, we are looking forward to a bigger budget for next year to assist us to do more things and execute more ideas for Sarawak,” he said.

He said that funding for Sarawak’s new performing arts centre would be essential to foster the growth of various creative sectors, including performing arts, gastronomy, and crafts.

“With the upcoming performing arts centre, of course, we may need some certain allocation to look into the performing arts itself, or even the gastronomy, craft centre, etc. A lot of progress that we can do for the coming years to come,” he said.