Tanjong Datu folks hope CM will do more for them

LUNDU: Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s popularity is strongest among the people of his own constituency of Tanjong Datu.

Located about an hour from central Kuching, this area represents some of the most beautiful parts of Sarawak, starting with lush, green forests and a beautiful fishing village with pristine, clear waters.

The people are warm and welcoming and utter nothing but praise when Adenan is mentioned.

Adenan was a journalist and then a teacher when he started his political career in 1979 by contesting in the Muara Tuang seat in Samarahan.

Since then, the now 72-year-old Kuching-born has contested and retained the Muara Tuang seat six times, before contesting in Batang Sadong parliamentary seat and winning in 2004.

In 2009, Adenan contested the Tanjong Datu seat for the first time and won by a majority of 4,136 votes against PKR.

He retained this seat in the 10th state elections in 2011 with a majority of 3,216 votes.

Over the years, Adenan has left a positive impact on his constituents and they are grateful for all the development that he has brought to the area.

With a good balance of people from all walks of life, the Malay-majority community here is made up primarily of fishermen and farmers and has 9,700 registered voters.

In Lundu, housewife Norhadzilah Lorin, 44, said the area has developed rapidly since Adenan took over as chief minister.

"He renovated the offices and the community halls here, built more shops and now we have become a point of attention for many people in Sarawak.

"Colleges and schools have been built and improved, allowing our children to study close to the comforts of their homes without compromising on the quality of the education they are receiving," she said.

Businesses in the village benefit when Adenan comes over for functions.

"My family has a roadside stall where we sell snacks, and my friends who also do business here tell me that their businesses do very well whenever Adenan comes to visit, and he visits us very often," she said.

Norhadzilah, however, said the area needs industrial development, like factories, which would provide more job opportunities for the people.

"We have quite a reasonable population here, so having something like a factory will help a lot of people.

"It will also be good for the younger generation here who are pursuing their education in professional sectors, like my children who have studied to become lawyers and business managers.

“If there are more places here where they can work, we can do more for the community and poverty can be eradicated " she added.

Further down the road, a small fishing village by the coast of Sematan houses about 200 people in each “zone”.

People can be seen bringing home their catch, some of which is preserved and dried while the rest is packed to be transported to the nearby market.

“Zone 1” chief Bujang Hajmi Hashim, 72, said things have been good for the people in the fishing village since Adenan became chief minister, adding that business has boomed over the years.

“We just have one problem - water. We run out of water at least twice a week and it becomes very difficult then.

“So, it will be good if that issue can be addressed because more people come here these days,” he said.

He said that although there is a palm oil factory in the village, the workers there are mostly outsiders.

“Our youngsters have to leave the village to go out and look for jobs. If the government could create more job opportunities here, we would be very grateful,” he said.

Car mechanic Ahmad Al Zallan Lenu, 32, said most people in the village become fishermen because they don’t have many options.

"Our worry is for the next generation and what they will to do with their lives here.

"The building of the new fish market here has helped.

"The roads here are bigger and well-lit and the well-preserved coast of Sematan has been good in attracting tourists, which in turn has boosted business," said Ahmad.

However, he laments that there are no banks or fuel stations in the area.

"We need to travel a good 30km to fuel up our vehicles and the nearest bank is also about the same distance,” he said.