KAPIT: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing yesterday expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for approving development projects worth RM1.472 billion to be implemented under the Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda).

He said as Urda chairman, he is grateful for the allocation which will see Ngemah receive RM101 million, Machan (RM120 million), Pelagus (RM212 million), Katibas (RM210 million), Bukit Goram (RM158 million), Baleh (RM307.5 million), Belaga (RM180 million), and Murum (RM183.5 million).

“Initially, the chief minister approved RM1 billion. However, the amount was increased following discussions after we determined that it was not enough.

“Baleh is getting a bigger allocation compared to Kapit, Bukit Goram, Murum, Pelagus, Belaga, Song, Machan and Ngemah as the chief minister had previously visited these areas and announced millions of ringgit worth of development projects,” he said during a briefing with community leaders on the development projects under Urda, held at the Civic Centre here yesterday.

Masing, who is also Infrastructure Development and Transportation Minister, said he was pleased to note that the majority of elected representatives whose constituencies come under Urda were present at the briefing, along with government officers grassroots leaders.

During the briefing, he also gave away prizes to the winners of the Urda logo design competition, which was won by Andy Wilson Anderu with the motto ‘Reaching Beyond Boundaries’.

Andy won a cash prize of RM5,000 while five others received a consolation prize of RM200 each.

Urda, which falls under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda), was set up last year covering 41,000 sq km of the upper Rajang areas of Kapit, Bukit Mabong, Belaga, Song, and Kanowit.

It covers three parliamentary constituencies – Hulu Rajang, Kapit and Kanowit – as well as seven state constituencies namely Ngemah, Katibas, Bukit Goram, Pelagus, Baleh, Belaga and Murum.

Among those who attended the briefing were Recoda chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, assemblymen Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan (Katibas), Wilson Nyabong Ijang (Pelagus), and Jefferson Jamit Unyat (Bukit Goram), as well as government department heads and community leaders.