Penguang hopes Budget 2018 has more allocations for rural areas
MIRI: With Budget 2018 themed ‘ Shaping the Future’ expected to be tabled in Parliament this Friday, rural Sarawakians are expecting bigger allocations for road and telecommunication infrastructure, utilities and projects that generate spin- offs.
On top of the list would be upgrading of more rural roads and network to provide the people with better mobi lity, according to Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, who is Marudi assemblyman.
Other than that, he expected more allocations for water and electricity supply for rural areas, including installation of solar systems for remote areas.
Penguang was asked the expectations of rural Sarawakians to the eagerly awaited national budget which would be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Penguang said what was a lso needed was more telecommunication towers in the rural areas to enable the people to enjoy broadband services at faster speed and without interruption so that they can take part in the digital economy envisioned by the Chief Minister.
“More telco towers need to be built to connect rural areas to the world and ensure we leapfrog our economy to e- Commerce as envisaged by our Chief Minister,” he said.
In addition, there is a pressing need to address the issue of dilapidated schools in Sarawak and more funds for agricultural projects in the rural areas, he added.
He also would like to see a reduction in household tax.