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Karim (third from left), Martin (first from left) and other guests release fried fish to replenish the ‘tagang’ project.
SERIAN (September 13): Bidayuh’s eight state majority seats are a concern in the upcoming state elections due to the swing of votes in favor of the opposition in the last 14th General Election of 2018, said the Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Karim said that in that election two years ago, the Barisan Nasional state, which is now Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), only managed to retain Serian but lost Puncak Borneo and Mas Gading to Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“We are a bit concerned when it comes to Bidayuh’s seats. Hopefully, all goes well in the next state elections. Because in the last parliamentary elections two seats fell and fortunately only Serian saved us from embarrassment.
“Therefore, in the upcoming state elections, we should work hard to ensure that not only seats are won in the Serian Bukar Sadong areas, but also seats in Bau, Lundu and Padawan (by GPS). We don’t want the Bidayuh to be divided, ”he said while speaking during his working visit to Kampung Terbat Mawang here today.
Karim, who is vice president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), said that it was important for the Bidayuh community in particular and for the Sarawak people in general to keep the GPS in power to ensure the continuity of development and implementation of the proposed projects.
He also warned them about those who are playing with racial and religious issues, especially by the politicians of the Peninsula.
“Be very careful with those politicians who come and tell you this, they tell you that especially when the elections approach. When it comes to election season, there will be many types of people. Some are like ‘langau’ (flies) who take up the problems but leave after the elections.
“We do not want the people of Sarawak to divide. We want to take care of the state as we want it to be and not always referring to Kuala Lumpur. Our state has been managed in our own way, long before the formation of Malaysia. Our Negri Council is the oldest legislative body in Malaysia, ”he said.
On the other hand, he said that the Bidayuh areas, from Lundu to Serian, offer many potential ecotourism sites that can be included in the tourist and travel packages for visitors.
“Serian is no stranger to me. I had my initial education at Serian. I am one of the students at St Teresa Serian Elementary School. My father was the district officer in Serian in the 1960s, ”he said.
He gave his full support to the proposal to convert the tagang (controlled fisheries) site into an ecotourism park and assured those present that the proposal would come to the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I will bring Kedup Assemblyman Martin Ben to the meeting to present the proposal. I think it will cost more than RM5 million to proposed RM6 million, ”he said, adding that the tagang project has great potential to attract visitors who love nature.
Meanwhile, Martin, who spoke earlier, said the proposal would require funds of RM5 to 6 million to complete, including the acquisition of three to four acres of land to build facilities for the ecotourism park.
He said the proposed facilities also include family homes in the style of a longhouse. The tagang project in Terbat Mawang, implemented in Sungai Kedup, has successfully raised exotic fish such as Semah and Empurau while keeping the river clean.
The project started in 2006 as a smart partnership between the Sarawak Department of Agriculture and the people of Terbat Mawang, Terbat Leban and Muara Ahi. He became famous after he appeared on a Discovery Channel show hosted by Denise Keller.
At the end of the work visit, Karim accompanied by Martin and other guests fed the fish and also threw chips into the river.
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