KUCHING: Amphee Temik from Kampung Duras in Mambong spent more than 11 years away from his humble abode to pursue higher studies and acquire experience.
He returned to his village a year ago to venture into business.
“So far, I’m doing okay, managed to get some contracts. But I’m sure I’ll be able to get more if the projects keep coming,” he told Bernama when met at Siburan town, 42 km from here.
The Universiti Teknologi Mara-trained civil engineer aged 35, acknowledged that Mambong had transformed over the years particularly Siburan, which merely used to be a ‘stop by’ town.
“It has undergone rapid development and is now a competitive commercial centre,” he noted.
Amphee said he was among thousands of eager, ambitious youngsters who migrated from Mambong to greener pastures to gain better education or employment or start a business.
“This exodus cannot be avoided as there was no higher education institution campus in the area and employment and business opportunities were lacking.
“I hope more foreign companies would invest in Mambong so that the younger generation here no longer have to go so far for economic sustenance,” he said.
On his expectations of the candidate who would represent Mambong, formerly Bengoh, after the 11th state election on May 7, he hoped whoever it is, would be able to bring more projects to the area and stamp the human capital drain.
Meanwhile, he said it would be his second time to vote, not only to exercise his responsibility as a Malaysian, but to have his voice heard.
Mambong incumbent BN assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil is facing two others, Sanjan Daik from DAP and Willy Mongin from PKR.
In the last state election in 2011, Dr Jerip secured the seat with a majority of 3,646 votes, defeating three other candidates.
The majority of voters in Mambong are Bidayuh, one of more than 27 ethnic groups in Sarawak.
Kampung Duras ‘lad’, Mebin Nicholas who is from the generation of Bidayuh born after the formation of Malaysia recalled growing up without adequate basic necessities such as water and electricity supply.
“We had a road in the village which was accessible by car but rather narrow; and we only had a wooden bridge.
“But the situation has changed. Our area situated along Kuching-Seria Road has become part of the Pan Borneo Highway and this contributed to the development we now enjoy.
“The narrow road is now sealed and wider. Almost all the villages here have water and electricity supply. There is also internet access although it needs to be improved,” said the father of three school-going children.
Like Amphee, Mebin, now 40, also succumbed to the temptation of “leaving home to look for better prospects elsewhere.”
Currently working in the city where his employer had provided him with proper accommodation, Mebin said it was now usual for him and his family to return to his village on weekends, “or at any time, day or night.”
“We can have a smooth journey as the road is good and it is lighted all the way from Kuching to my village,” he said, adding it is his wish to one day return to his village for good and maybe become an entrepreneur in Mambong.
“That day could be closer if construction and development projects continue to flourish in Mambong,” he said.--BERNAMA