Telang Usan records decade of steady development, says Dennis Ngau

MIRI (Feb 1): The Telang Usan state constituency has recorded steady and significant development over the past decade, with numerous infrastructure projects completed and more currently under way, said its assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau.

He said the progress reflects close cooperation between elected representatives and the people, underpinned by political stability, consistent leadership and the continued trust of the rakyat towards the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Dennis noted that developing a vast and remote constituency such as Telang Usan, which comprises 88 villages and scattered settlements, is a challenging task that requires long-term planning and continuity.

“We will not move forward if we keep changing our elected representatives at every election, or if we are in government one moment and in the opposition the next.

“Leaders must constantly look for ways to bring development to the people, and it is the people’s support that makes such development possible,” he said when officiating at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Telang Usan branch New Year dinner held at the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Malaysia (Forum) building here on Saturday.

He said almost all resolutions submitted to the Sarawak government nearly 10 years ago have since been realised.

Among the key achievements, Dennis highlighted the construction and upgrading of rural roads and junctions at several longhouses, as well as major bridge projects including the Long Lama Bridge, Sungai Temala’ Bridge, Sungai Paong Bridge, Long Apu Bridge, Sungai Tutoh Bridge, the Long Luteng suspension bridge and a bridge over Sungai Buang.

“These projects have significantly improved accessibility and helped stimulate economic activity in the area,” he said.

On water supply, Dennis said treatment plants have been constructed in villages such as Long Bemang, Long Kevok, Long Pillah, Long Loyang, Long Batan, Pelutan, Long Miri, Long Anap, Long Urang and Long Nakan.

He also revealed plans for a new water treatment plant in Long Lama bazaar, estimated to cost about RM30 million, which will eventually supply water to several surrounding longhouses.

In addition, he said clean water supply projects have been successfully implemented on a gotong-royong basis through cooperation with government and non-government agencies, both local and international, in villages including Long Puak, Uma Akeh, Long Latie’, Long Sayan, Long Suling, SK St Pius, Long Apu, Long Nahah, Long Tebenyi and Long Selatong Dikan.

Today, Dennis said almost all 88 villages and settlements in Telang Usan constituency enjoy 24-hour electricity supply, either through solar hybrid systems or the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares).

“Overall, clean water and electricity coverage have expanded significantly. What was once only a dream has now become a reality. These are not promises, but the results of our work,” he said.

He added that public amenities have also improved, with community halls built in many villages, alongside sports facilities such as futsal and basketball courts.

After nearly a decade of applications, Dennis said the new Class 5 Long San health clinic is now under construction and is expected to provide essential healthcare services to residents in the Ulu Baram area.

Upgrading works have also been carried out at existing clinics, staff quarters and other community facilities, including internal village roads and facilities used by village committees and women’s groups, he added.

“We also placed emphasis on digital connectivity, with National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) hubs established in the Long Bedian sub-district and the Long Lama bazaar to enhance access to information and digital services.

“To support livelihoods, continuous efforts have been made to assist farmers through collaboration with the Agriculture Department, including the organisation of training courses, programmes and assistance for smallholders,” he said.

For local entrepreneurs and contractors, Dennis said a Entrepreneur Incubator Centre (PIBU) has been set up at the Long Lama bazaar, while applications have also been made to the State Financial Office to conduct training programmes in Miri, Long Lama and Long San.

On economic development, Dennis said Telang Usan is poised to benefit from a high-impact integrated solar farm project with an estimated investment value of about RM2 billion, to be developed in the Temala area near Long Lama in the near future.

He added that the constituency has also embarked on a community-based bamboo cultivation initiative in collaboration with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), with nearly 1,000 families having applied to participate.

“A potential investor is also planning to build a bamboo charcoal processing plant in or near Long Lama,” he said.

Dennis said the aim of these initiatives is to ensure the people of Telang Usan are not merely dependent on assistance, but are able to become self-reliant and competitive.

On religious matters, he noted that the state government, through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), has provided substantial assistance to churches, mosques and other houses of worship in Telang Usan, with nearly RM10 million channelled for church construction and repair works since Unifor was established.

Dennis stressed that all development implemented and planned for Telang Usan did not occur by chance, but was the result of the people’s trust in GPS.

“Our journey is not over, as the needs and aspirations of the people never end. That is why we must plan for the next five years — to strengthen infrastructure, particularly road networks, expand economic opportunities, improve education quality, intensify youth development and ensure a more prosperous and balanced life for the people,” he said.

He therefore called on residents of Telang Usan to continue giving their support to him and the GPS government, which he said has proven its ability to bring development and positive change to the constituency.

Also present were organising chairperson, who is also political secretary to Premier Dominic Nyurang Ajang, PBB Telang Usan women’s chief Margaret Nawan, PBB Telang Usan youth chief Eric Andreas and Belia chief Spanski Steven.