Sometime last year, Datuk Amar Hj. Abdul Aziz Hj. Husain announced that the persons to run the two new divisions, Mukah and Betong, will be " highly qualified and experienced civil servants" in order to spur growth in their respective Divisions. With the elevation of the new divisions this year , Mukah on March 1 and Betong on March 26, the " secret" has been revealed who these government officers are…

Rakan Sarawak spoke to the newly appointed Residents of Mukah and Betong and captured their vision, their thoughts and feelings about the appointment as well as their viewpoints on certain social issues concerning their new jurisdiction.

Anyone would attest that the role of a Divisional Resident is very crucial when it comes to the running of a Division. So as we witness the ceremonial elevation of the new Divisions, we also look forward to the start of a new era of development in Sarawak, with the 'First Residents' of Mukah and Betong playing a significant role.

"The greatest challenge is to develop a new mindset, which is always a problem with any development , and to arouse interest in small and medium-sized industries and commercial activities. Because of this, we would like to inject into Mukah Division greater activities that will attract educated people with better understanding of the opportunities for development to come to the area and intermingle with the local people. In this context, we are planning to set up a polytechnic in Mukah Division".

-YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud

Chief Minister of Sarawak

"I look forward to the influx of increased investment into the Betong Division, with capital and other resources being brought in to develop oil palm plantations in both the upper and lower Saribas basins as well as to set up private institutions of higher learning… Betong is being propelled to new heights of development and progress."

-Tan Sri Datuk Amar Alfred Jabu ak Numpang

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Rural and Land Development