Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday performed the earth-breaking ceremony for the RM5 million complex before adjourning to Tasik Bau recreation park to launch Bau District Council’s 60th anniversary celebration and opening of Pesta Tasik Biru.

He was joined by Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Anthony Nogeh, Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Opar assemblyman Dato Ranum Mina, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh and Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Sameon.

Abang Johari (right), with Manyin behind him, at his right (partly obscured), takes a look at a display after declaring open the 60th anniversary of Bau District Council and Pesta Tasik Biru. Looking on from Abang Johari’s right are Henry, Nogeh and Miro.

BAU: The government will continue to develop this district and beautify its surrounding areas, particularly focusing on the tourism sector.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Bau already has so much economic potential especially in tourism, that all it needs is proper management and promotion.

“Your tourism products are like the ‘gold mine’ of Bau; the Old Siniawan town has been attracting many tourists over the years after the opening of its night food market.

“It means that Siniawan cottage industry including its handicraft-making will prosper. Elsewhere, the Wind and Fairy caves are not yet fully developed,” he said before declaring open the 60th anniversary of Bau District Council and Pesta Tasik Biru here yesterday.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the construction of new schools is part of a special catch-up plan to improve the quality of education in Sarawak.

He said the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research under Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong recently held a workshop attended by all education officers in the state.

“So they have identified the schools, some of them have to be merged because of low enrolment. But even then we will still have to build between 250 and 260 schools within two years.

“This is a special catch-up plan because if we were to wait for the normal procedures, we could not meet the targets as these schools must be replaced,” he told reporters after launching the Tasik Biru Festival here yesterday.

Abang Johari lamented that under Public Works Department (JKR) requirements, some of the schools are no longer fit for occupation.

“So we cannot take chances. If they (federal government) do not have the allocated sum for our schools, what we do is to finance the projects with our own bank and they have to pay us back later,” he said.

On the timeframe set for the federal government to pay the state he said: “That one is OK because we also have debts with the federal government”.

KUCHING: Bau will come alive next weekend as three back-to-back events marking the 60th anniversary of Bau District’s Council will take place.

The festivities, from Sept 22 to 24, include Bau District 60th anniversary celebration, an earth-breaking ceremony for the new Bau District Office complex and the Tasik Biru Carnival.

Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the celebrations would see more than 30 activities, focusing on sports, education, entrepreneurship and community building, held.

“This year will be very special for Bau District Council as it celebrates its 60th anniversary, making it one of the oldest councils in Sarawak,” he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.

“The current office has been used for the past 80 years so a new complex is very much needed,” he added.