RM1.4bil to be injected to complete 24 delayed Sarawak projects by 13MP, says Zahid

KUCHING: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry will expedite finishing 24 delayed projects in Sarawak, originally to be completed between 2016 and 2022, before the launch of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi added that RM1.4bil will be used to implement these projects, the majority of which are in rural areas.

“There are additional amounts that we are finalising. We are also reassessing the allocation, due to rising construction costs and the prices of building materials. A meeting, involving ministries and central agencies, is scheduled in two weeks in Kuala Lumpur to discuss this matter.

"Other aspects, such as land acquisition, will be addressed by the state government through its own agency, which has already allocated funds to resolve such issues,” he explained at a press conference following a briefing on the implementation of Sarawak's development projects on Sunday (Nov 3).

The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised that the Village Link Road (JPD) project is a priority which must be expedited, to facilitate access for residents of small towns and certain cities to the main roads and the Pan Borneo Highway.

He also added that the federal government has allocated a total of RM85mil for the upgrade of logging roads in the state, which is expected to be completed this year.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid received a briefing on the latest updates regarding the implementation of development projects by the ministry, conducted by state agencies, such as those responsible for rural roads (JALB), rural bridges (JMLB), rural water supply (BALB), and rural electricity supply (BELB) projects.

Four implementing agencies involved in the ministry’s development programmes in Sarawak provided briefings during the session. These included the state Public Works Department (JKR), the state Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), the state Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and the ministry’s technical division.

Meanwhile, the ministry in a statement, said that a total of RM713.16mil has been allocated under the development of the 4th Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), for this year. This funding encompasses 292 projects, comprising 70 new initiatives and 222 extensions.

"As of Oct 21, project implementation performance recorded 195 pre-implementation projects, 69 projects currently under implementation, and 26 post-implementation projects,” the statement read. - Bernama