Member of Parliament for Bintulu, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing remarked that people in constituencies which had representatives with portfolios either in the State or Federal Government seemed to enjoy preferential and prompt attention to issues raised.

"People's representatives, who are without any portfolio, are also elected by the people and entrusted to serve the people just like those holding ministerial posts," said Tiong during his visit to 14 longhouses in Ulu Bintulu and Suai area recently.

He reminded the civil servants to fulfill and achieve their missins, particularly those outlineby the government to improve the standard of living among the rural folks.

He said the image of the Barisan Nasional government would be at stake should the civil servant fail to discharge their duty. 

On the budget of RM14.3 million approved in 2003 by the Federal government for the implementatin of electricity and water supply to Suai area, Tiong assured that he would meet the relevant minister for clarification after being informed that the water supply project had stopped due to shortage of fund while the electricity project had yet to take off.

"I have also spoken with the Health Minister Datuk Dr. Chua Soi Lek, who promised to visit Bintulu in July or August to see for himself the needs related to health matters.

He said one of the issue to be raised would be on a rural clinic for Suai which the government had approved earlier.

Tiong also called on the Public Works  Department's officers to be sensitive to wards the needs of the rural folks, especially on the maintenance of road leading to the rural longhouses and villages.

He later presented MRP grants to several lonhouses, namely Rh. Setia (RM5,000), Rh. Liau (RM5000), Rh. Bakom (RM5000), Rh. Timbon (RM10000), Kpg. Ogos (RM20,000), Rh. Randang (RM5,000), Rh. Jasan (RM1,500) and Rh. Randang (RM5,000). A longhouse also received 400-gallon water tank.

He also agreed to help tow Iban girls, Catherine Tian ak Giri and Valarie ak Baba, both 18, to apply for government scholarship for furthering their studies in nursing and accounting in Miri and Kuching respectively.