Work together to improve Kanowit’s household income, grassroots leaders told

KANOWIT (July 17): Local leaders including those at the grassroots level must work together in all aspects to improve Kanowit’s mean household income ranking, said Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana.

According to him, Kanowit with a monthly mean household income of RM2,980 ranked third from bottom among all districts in Sarawak.

“Our monthly household income target is RM15,000, and there is an obvious big gap. It is our responsibility as leaders to work together with our district officer as the head of government so we can improve our household income position.

“I am optimistic about many economic activities to be implemented under Mid Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA) that will give a push to the ranking,” he said.

He said this during a land compensation cheque presentation ceremony for Phase 1 of Jalan Nanga Kabah/Sungai Beguang/Sungai Song project at Rumah Asay Abol in Nanga Kabah here yesterday, where 69 landowners received land compensation cheques totalling RM1.66 million.

Anyi said the project spanning 7km and undertaken by the Drainage and Irrigation Department is ongoing, and advised landowners to give their full cooperation to any development projects carried out by the government to ensure smooth implementation.

“All development projects require the acquisition of land, which will be compensated accordingly,” he said.

He also commended landowners involved in the construction of Phase 1 of Jalan Nanga Kabah/Sungai Beguang/Sungai Song for not causing many issues during the land acquisition process.

Earlier, Sibu Land and Survey Department superintendent Mohamad Muazziz Othman explained the delay of the compensation payment.

“We received reports on landowners who have not received their land compensation even though the project has started, and we are aware that this matter has caused concern among landowners and impedes project implementation.

“It is not our intention to delay compensation payment to the affected landowners, but there are certain processes that we have to follow,” he said, dismissing the allegation that the government is robbing the people’s land.

Among those present were Kanowit District officer Jackline August, Kanowit police chief DSP Dennis Bunyam and Unity Minister political secretary Dr Stephen Williams.