NEW COMFORTABLE HOME: Abang Johari (centre) and DrJerip (on his right) giving their thumbs-up with the BRS houseowners after the handing over of keys ceremony.
KUCHING: The government has a master plan to change the face of rural areas, key to which is to provide basic amenities and uplift the socio-economic status.
In pointing out this, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the government was very visionary in its quest to transform the people.
“The government has a master plan to develop the state and to help the people, and blended with our experienced political leaders, our rural people will surely enjoy the benefit,” Abang Johari said at a key presentation ceremony for Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) at Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS) yesterday.
Some 52 houseowners received their house keys.
Abang Johari stressed that having the master plan and experienced leaders had always been the thrust to bring the rural people to enjoy the fruits of development.
The government, he pointed out, will continue to nurture young leaders to be more experienced and have a global thinking to help people both in urban and rural areas.
“While the government continues to adopt a master plan for development, young political leaders will also be continuously nurtured to bring greater development to the state and in helping the people,” Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, said.
He called on the people in rural areas not to listen to opposition propaganda, whom he pointed out, were envious about the success of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in bringing development to the state and people.
On tourism, Abang Johari assured that the industry will be further developed, and Bengoh Resettlement Scheme will be no exception, adding that the area will be developed as “hinterland tourism”.
According to him, the revenue from tourism in the state was RM8 billion last year, where tourist arrivals reached 4.1 million.
He thus called on the people in rural areas to get involved in the tourism sector, like having a homestay programme which has great potential as a revenue earner.
Abang Johari also congratulated the villagers who have moved to BRS, describing them as visionary to accept changes, and urged those who have refused to move to change their mentality for the sake of the children and their future.
He pointed out that there was no reason not to move as the new area has all the basic amenities and is very comfortable.
Among those present were Assistant Public Health Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Kuching Resident Abang Shamshudin Abang Seruji and BRS co-ordinator, who is also Bidayuh community leader for Kuching district Temenggong Austin Dimin Niyon.
