CM: Sarawak to use own funds to nance cancelled projects

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak government will use its own funds to finance those federal projects in Sarawak which have been cancelled, to ensure uninterrupted development for the benefit of the people.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the additional budget for this would be tabled during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting next month.

“If the federal government says that they do not have the budget, which means they cannot give us the allocations and has cancelled the projects that have been approved for Sarawak, the state government will cover these (projects) ourselves.

“Meaning, there will be many federal projects that the state will undertake because we do not want to rely on Putrajaya too much.

“Sarawak must be developed by its own people, the Sarawakians,” he said during a townhall session #TanyakAbgJo, run in conjunction with the ‘Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2018’ programme here yesterday.

Abang Johari added that the Sarawak Budget 2019 would introduce several new initiatives – amongst them a financial assistance for Sarawak newborns.

“I have discussed with the state cabinet to find the best solutions for the people and we will come out with the assistance.

“This assistance will be given to all newborn (babies) beginning next year, but parents cannot withdraw the benefits. The funds will be accumulated with interests and they can be used by the children when they reach 18 years old, maybe to further their studies,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is working on a data from the Health Department with regard to the number of newborns in Sarawak in a period of one year — estimated at 40,000.

The chief minister also announced the launch of ‘Rumah Pertiwiku’, another new initiative to help the people to own their own houses.

“These houses are exclusively for Sarawakians – meaning no outsiders can purchase the houses,” he said, adding that the Sarawak government is in the process to amend the necessary

If the federal government says that they do not have the budget, which means they cannot give us the allocations and has cancelled the projects that have been approved for Sarawak, the state government will cover these (projects) ourselves. — Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister