RM6 bln to proceed with rural projects cancelled by KL
SIMUNJAN: Sarawak Government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has allocated RM6 billion to continue development projects in rural areas that have been cancelled by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said he wants the development in Sarawak to be more focused.
"The people in Gedong want to have a bridge which costs RM50 million, we will do it. In Gedong, we have good road infrastructure and with this bridge, we will connect you straight to Kuching, and what is important is sufficient fund for construction.
"We are not like those who are in Kuala Lumpur, when they gave us the funds, they withdraw it. We had some allocations pledged to be given to Sarawak to construct our bridges, like Batang Lupar, they have been withdrawn. They do not mean what they say, but we in Sarawak, we mean what we say.
"When I came to Simunjan, they ask for a rest house, I said go ahead and do it, for the benefit of the people, because we mean what we say," said Abang Johari at the launching of Gedong Festival 2019 in Gedong yesterday.
Organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Gedong, the function was part of the Chief Minister's walkabout in rural areas.
On the bridge project in Gedong , he said it will be under Integrated Samarahan Development Agency (ISDA) and would be completed in three years' time.
Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, stressed that even if the PH federal government cancelled the projects the GPS state government would continue them using its own resources for the benefit of the people, citing among them the proposed Batang Lupar bridge, Rambongan bridge, Batang Lasak through Pulau Bruit bridge and Igan bridge.
“If they (PH government) want to cancel and withdraw them, go ahead, we will do them ourselves.
"We (Sarawak) can stand on our own two feet, we in Sarawak, we will continue to emphasise on development. We will continue to develop our costal roads, our bridges," he said.
Earlier, upon his arrival, Abang Johari launched the GPS Gedong branch.
Among those present at the ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar, Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small Medium Enterprise Development and Gedong assemblyman Datuk Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Nahrawi, Batang Sadong Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus and Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidil Lariwoo and Deputy State Secretary Datu Abu Bakar.
On development thrusts, Abang Johari, who is also GPS president, said the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) had been divided into four segments - Ulu Rajang Development Agency (Urda), Highland Development Agency (HDA), Northern Development Agency (NDA) and Saribas Development Agency (SDA) to hasten the pace of rural development.
He said Urda under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing is entrusted to develop areas along Sungai Rajang from Kapit, Tunoh, Belaga until Baleh.
On HDA, it is to develop highland areas in Bario and Ba Kelalan while NDA under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Tengah Ali Hasan is to develop Limbang and Lawas and Saribas Development Agency (SDA) under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is to develop Saribas area.
"We split the segments of Recoda because Sarawak is very big, and we want to focus on development which is more sustainable.
"Apart from these four segments, we also want to concentrate on Samarahan, and that is why we set up an Integrated Samarahan Development Agency (Isda)," he said, adding with the setting up of Isda, there will be a new approach in developing Samarahan, Simunjan right up to Sebuyau.
He recalled that during the administration of former chief minister Tun Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud, the Integrated Agriculture Development Agency (IADA) was set up to develop land for integrated agriculture through drainage and irrigation system.
"We made bunds covering almost all of Samarahan areas. That was 30 years ago, and times have changed, we want to restructure Samarahan including Simunjan and Gedong.
"We have made new plans because we have the bunds, land, our agriculture is much developed but the salt water is still sipping in. Just last week, I approved RM500 million to construct drainage and irrigation and bunds in this area so that the salt water would not sip in. And for this project in Samarahan, I have allocated RM1.5 billion to be developed within this five years," he said.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari advised Sarawakians to be cautious when using the social media, especially Facebook (FB).
"Now we have the technology, you will see all kinds of rumours flying around in FB. FB is like a knife. Use FB for the right purpose to spread accurate information, do it for the benefit of the people. Check the authenticity of the news in FB and sometimes you see stories or news being spun, that's technology,” he pointed out.