KUCHING: Putrajaya's austerity drive will not affect projects financed by the Sarawak government, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
The Sarawak Deputy Premier said the federal-funded Pan Borneo Highway would also continue to be implemented as it is an ongoing project.
"A lot of projects are under the state's finances so they will not be affected by the Federal Government's policy. The Pan Borneo Highway is a major federal project in Sarawak but it is not cancelled.
"What they are talking about are projects which have not commenced," he added, saying that the state government would seek further details on the move.
Uggah was speaking to reporters after inspecting the progress of the highway's Mile 6 flyover here on Monday (July 18).
On Sunday (July 17), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the government would postpone or cancel projects which had yet to commence, to enable money to be channelled for the people's welfare.
He said the move was in response to a directive issued via the Malaysia Treasury Circular - Guidelines on Public Expenditure Savings.
Uggah also said the state government was committed to ensuring that projects were implemented as scheduled to serve the people and meet public expectations.
He said staff from the Infrastructure and Port Development Ministry, which he heads, were directed to go to the ground to monitor projects.
"We have a number of delayed and sick projects. Our priority is to make sure that delayed projects will be pushed to be on time and sick projects will be cured," he said.
On the Mile 6 flyover, he said it was expected to be completed at the end of July while the Mile 7 flyover will be fully open on July 2
