‘130 to 300 state-funded projects in each GPS state constituency from next year’

MIRI: Each of the 72 state constituencies under GPS will have 130 to 300 state government-funded projects worth about RM12 million annually in the period 20192021.

Thus, there should be no reason for local registered contractors to be unable to land jobs, Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, who is also Assistant Minister of e-Commerce, said.

He further said the Sarawak government allocated RM648 million annually for Minor Rural Projects (MRP), Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) and house repairs to the 72 GPS state assemblymen which is about RM8 million each, the same amount given to GPS members of Parliament.

“GPS ADUNs (assemblymen) also have been allocated RM1 million each for house repairs or rehabilitation which can cover 66 to 100 houses,” he said.

The assistant minister was speaking at the Entrepreneur Contractor Symposium in Lawas last Saturday.

Naroden informed that the state government had simplified the project roll-out mechanism by empowering the respective divisional tender committees chaired by the Resident to approve and award projects up to a value of RM2 million while those worth RM1 million and below would be based on cast-lot system.

There are about 5,779 Bumiputera contractors in the state, and the state government had allocated RM2 billion for RTP projects which ranged from basic infrastructure such as roads, drains and school repairs to mini stadiums and upgrading of houses of worship.

Naroden called on contractors not to think of making quick profit but to grow their company and improve their competency.

“It’s time to say no to ‘Alibaba’ or ‘Alimama’ for five per cent commission but stand on your own feet and undertake the works yourself,” he said.

He advised against sub-contracting out the entire package of works although certain components such as piling works could be sub-contracted.

He warned that contractors caught flouting the regulations could end up being blacklisted and banned from renewing their licence for three years.

“This is not about punishing them but it is for the good of bumiputera contractors to grow as the Prime Minister has pointed out,” he said.

Naroden urged contractors to be financially disciplined by keeping an eye on their accounts and be savvy in sourcing funds such as overdraft to finance their projects.