The reduction of the price was a result of numerous appeals by the locals who complaint that the  offered price was too high which most of them could not afford, forwarded by the state assemblymen for N54 Jepak Hj. Talip Zulpilip this morning.

Taib said the non-profitmaking scheme carried out by Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) was a long term plannning aimed at developing Kampung Jepak more in terms of social economic development.

At the function held this morning at Kampung Jepak Mosque, 209 eligible applicants received their offer letters of land-title under the RM13.14 million scheme which will be carried in two stages (Phase I and Phase II).

A total of 73.80 hectare (182.36 acre) of land involving a total of 741 lots with area from 0.10 to 026 acre will be developed under the plan where 300 lots had been offering to eligible applicants under phase I with estimate cost of RM6.44 million.

Taib disclosed that state goverment had been spending more than RM2000 million annually for the development which  had been bringing progressive achievement in various aspect to the state since the implemenatation of its Politics of Development decades ago.

"It is regretful that despite the fact that there were abundant job opportunities available, not many locals come up to grasp the apportunities, thereby forcing the state government to allow foreigner to fill up the jobs," he said such attitude was a manisfestation that the people are now much more better off. 

"While enjoying prosperity, racial harmony and political stability acheiving so far, we should prevent in advance of what will lead to the decline of our achievement," adding the Chief Minister.

As prevention to this, he said virtues of be graceful and respectful to the elders should be consistenly inculcate to the present generation as to educate them to appreciate the struggles and values as encountered and instilled by the past leaders.

Beside, he also urged the parents to encourage their children to pursue higher eduction by all means. 

He also urged the parents to foster better relationship with the children so as to create better learning atmosphere in order to educate their children to voluntarily pursue knowledge.

Younger generation are fortunate enough to have all the facilities such as
televisions, computers and so on compared to those a few decades ago.

With such facilities, the children of today should be able to do better in
their studies.

He said, no doubt that some developed countries in the West were more advance, nevertheless, they didn't treasure the family value as much as we are here.

Such attitude if practise here, he said would gradually lead to social
problems. 

"No one will prefer to live in a country where spirit of neighbourhood is
absent" 

Meanwhile, the state assemblymen for N54 Hj. Talip bin Zulpilip today urged the people to fully support the State Barisan National (BN) under the leadership of the present Chief Minister.

He also emphasized the importance of solidarity, racial harmony among the people that might lead to peace, prosperity and political stability.

He advised them not to listen to the opposition parties, adding that they only know how to instigate the people against the government via their political propaganda. 

The state assemblymen for N54 Jepak stressed that only the BN could deliver the goods to the people.

Also speaking during the function was the General Manager for BDA Hj. Suud bin Suhaili.

He advise those who were not issued the land titles now to be patient, adding that more such titles would be issued to eligible applicants. 

Touching on the construction of the new Bintulu airport located in N54 Jepak area, he said that such development of infrastructure would bring
socia-economic development opportunities to the locals.

Furthermore, the proposed coastal highway linking Bintulu to Mukah, Dalat and Daro would add to the development available now.

Also present during the occasion were the Minister for Housing Datuk Celestine Ujang anak Jilan, State Assemblymen for N53 Kidurong Michael Sim Khian Hui, State Secretary Datuk Aziz Hussein, Resident for Bintulu Encik Abdullah Che Samat  and other dignitories and community leaders.