Bawang Assan folk want better telecommunications network

SIBU: Mo Benjamin, 41, had to pause for a while when asked what he wanted from the Bawang Assan assemblyman in the next five years.
He then replied that it was a difficult question to answer because now his own village in Tanjung Bekakap, was well served with infrastructure facilities.
"Everything is there. Clean water supply, electricity and good roads. A better telecommunications network is probably what the residents in my kampung need," the private sector worker told Bernama.
His sentiments were echoed by Cliff Richard, 48, from Tanjung Penasu.
"Handphone signals are rather weak. When we want to make calls, we have to go out of the house," Richard said.
According to Benjamin, the need for a good telecommunications network was not only for handphone usage alone.
He said now it was important for children's education because the Internet was a treasure trove of knowledge and that adults at longhouses could also benefit.
"Now if we need information we just need to turn to the Internet. At Youtube for example, there are videos related to farming, craftmaking, welding techniques, tailoring and engine repair, either Malaysian or foreign," he said, adding that the digital gap between urban and rural areas must be narrowed.
Richard, meanwhile, said Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Bawang Assan in the state election this Saturday, played an instrumental role in raising the living standard of the people in the constituency.
Housewife Milla Jean said development in Bawang Assan was clearly felt by the people in Tanjung Bekakap.
"Everything is there. Maybe for my kampung, sports and recreational facilities will be welcomed by the villagers," she said.
She hoped the seat that has been around since 1987 and currently has 18,340 registered voters will continue to be represented by Wong for the next five years.
The voter breakdown in Bawang Assan is Malay/Melanau (5.3%), Chinese (55.1%), Iban (38.8%) and others (0.8%).
Wong, who has held the seat since 1991, is involved in a five-corned fight.
His opponents are Wong Sing Wei (STAR), Watson Bangau Jonathan Renang(Independent), Chiew Sung Ngie (DAP) and Yeu Bang Keng (Independent). — Bernama