Ugak (right) being interviewed by RTM Sibu.
KAPIT: The government needs to urgently address three major social issues in Belaga, Sungai Asap and Sungai Koyan Resetlement Scheme.
In making this call, Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak listed the issues as drug abuse, shortage of policemen in Sungai Asap and the need for a fire station at Sungai Koyan Resettlement Scheme.
“Drug abuse in Sungai Asap and Sungai Koyan Resettlement Schemes is indeed very serious, especially among the youngsters. This is a very serious social problem because drug will ruin their future and the family institution,” he highlighted.
Thus, he called on the Minister of Home Affairs to deploy more policemen to the settlements as the present number of personnel was insufficient to effectively enforce the law and deter crime there in view of the big population of about 15,000.
On the fire station, he said it was urgently needed in view of the frequent fire outbreaks in the longhouses and their remoteness from the nearest fire station.
“I’m appealing to the government in particular the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to build a fire station there to provide quick and effective response to fire outbreaks. The volunteer fire fighting squads will not be efficient in combating fires because they’re not well-trained and do not have sufficient equipment,” he added.
Ugak aired these grievances when interviewed by a TV crew from RTM Sibu on Wednesday afternoon after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Kapit District councillors at Meligai Hotel here.