Increased allocation focuses on Pan Borneo project — Baru
KUCHING: The increased allocation for infrastructure development next year wi l l continue to focus on the Pan Borneo Highway project, including a special provision of RM1 billion each for Sarawak and Sabah, said Works Minister Baru Bian.
“My ministry is grateful that the government decided to continue with the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway subject to the cost rationalisation involved,” he said when commenting on the 2019 Budget tabled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday.
Meanwhile Pending assemblyman Violet Yong said the increased allocation for infrastructure development given to Sabah and Sarawak shows the federal government acknowledged the needs to alleviate the current backwardness of the infrastructure in the two states.
“The 2019 Budget is the most comprehensive, compassionate and full of positive surprises budget,” she said, adding that this was also the first ever budget whereby RM12 million allocation was given to 60 Chinese independent schools nationwide.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the development allocated to Sarawak, totalling RM4,346 million next year, on top of the continuation of the Pan Borneo Highway would help to reduce the inflated cost.
The federal government’s focus on construction and upgrading of basic infrastructures including roads, bridges, water and electricity supply, healthcare and educational infrastructures also augured well for the people in Sarawak, he said.
Meanwhile Kota Samarahan Municipal Council chairman Datuk Peter Minos said the continuation of the Pan Borneo highway project was good news as it meant a lot to Sarawak and its future. “If cancelled Sarawakians will be disappointed. We fully understand why the price has to be reviewed ... What matters is that PH government does not cancel it, being a federal project,” he said.
Meanwhile social media blogger Magdalene Rogers said the RM20 million allocation for the free screening programme for breast cancer ( mammograms), HPV vaccination and Pap Smear tests gives women a peace of mind that there are such medical benefits for them at government clinics and hospitals.
“Women need not be burdened with paying as much for their health and wellness and that (free screening) means covering their needs and finances as best as they can,” she said.
Meanwhile, Welfare, Community Prosperity, Women and Children Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said government agencies in Sarawak must grab the opportunity to create the Child Nursery ( Taska) following the announcement of the RM10 million allocation to add such services in government buildings. She said a similar allocation had been made previously but it did not contribute to the addition of child nurseries at the work place following the problems that arose such as the lack of building space.