Najib announces allocations for two major rural roads in S'wak

KAPIT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today closed the 'Gawai Dayak' celebration here and announced allocations for the construction of two major rural roads.

He announced an RM87-million allocation for the construction of the "missing link" of 9.6 kilometres between Nanga Temalat in Song and Nanga Ngemah in Kanowit, thus completing the Sibu-Kapit Road.

He also announced an RM37-million allocation for the construction of a road from Sungai Banyau to Sungai Mujong.

"The BN does not make empty promises, nor does it stand on unclear ground. The opposition can make numerous promises but we know that the proof is on the side of the BN," he said.

He said this at the closing ceremony of the Kapit Gawai Dayak Celebration 2015 at the Bengau Andah Longhouse, Nanga Sut, Balleh.

Najib, who expressed his happiness in celebrating the Gawai at the longhouse, said his presence was a manifestation of his intention to implement the inclusive policies which included all ethnic and sub-ethnic groups throughout the country.

"I say this because I don't want it to become political rhetoric but I want to prove that whatever I say will be carried out by the government.

"That's why I come to places such as this to the extent that the people of Sarawak, including the chief minister (Tan Sri Adenan Satem), say that I am the prime minister who has made the most number of trips to Sarawak and implement development projects that are most needed by the people of Sarawak," he added.

Najib also expressed his happiness at the response given by the local people to him at the function where they brought along placards stating that the "Dayak Sokong Najib" (Dayak Support Najib).

"This gives me the inspiration. The Dayak community supports me and the Dayak people continue to defend my leadership as the prime minister," he said.

He felt that the support was not coerced but that the Dayak community could evaluate that since becoming prime minister he had implemented policies that truly benefited the Dayak community although they lived in the interior areas such as Kapit.

Najib said Sarawak was an important state and had vast potentials for development.

The Bakun Dam alone could generate 3300 megawatts of hydroelectric power while the Balleh Dam was expected to generate 1,400 megawatts.

Meanwhile, Najib said aid would continue to be given to the people of Ranau and the surrounding areas in Sabah to ensure their welfare following the June 5 earthquake and the recent floods.

"This morning, I received a report that there have been severe floods in Ranau. The Fire and Rescue Department has deployed aid and started the evacuation of the affected people," he said in a post on his Facebook account.

The 5.9-magnitude earthquake on June 5 claimed 18 lives. Another earthquake, of 5.1 magnitude, occurred on June 13 and there have been many aftershocks.

Yesterday, the people of Kampung Mesilau in Kundasang were struck by mud floods following heavy rain.

Najib said all government agencies, including the National Security Council, and Fire and Rescue Department, as well as the Malaysian Armed Forces, would monitor the situation in Sabah, especially in Ranau and nearby areas, over the next several months.

"Let us strive and pray for the safety of our brothers in Sabah," he said.