‘12MP augurs well with Sarawak’s recovery plan’
KUCHING: The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) 2021-2025 should augur well with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Recovery Plan, said Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi.
In stating this, he said due to Covid-19, there would be a lot of necessary adjustments as Sarawak strove towards attaining the developed-state status by 2030.
He also pointed out that with the socio-economic development of Sarawak being given priority under 12MP, this would complement the state’s own development plans, which he described as ‘very comprehensive’.
“The state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg), has come out with a post-Covid-19 development strategy, to run until Year 2030, which encompasses the 12MP too,” he said during a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday, held to announce the programme line-up for Yang di-Pertua
Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s birthday celebration next month.
Dr Rundi was accompanied by his assistant ministers Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (Water Supply) and Datuk Liwan Lagang (Rural Electricity).
In relation to the 12MP, Dr Rundi said Sarawak strove to ‘cover as much areas as possible’ in attaining the developed-state status by 2030.
He stressed that all development projects planned by the state government previously must not only go on, but should also be expedited in view of the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our Chief Minister is doing a good job in fast-tracking the development of Sarawak.
“We (for example) also hope projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway project, would reach completion on time.”
On his ministry, Dr Rundi said his side was also doing its best in ensuring that all delayed or proposed projects, such as those relating to bridges, would be completed as soon as possible.
“Whatever it is, I am optimistic in that the state is slowly
opening up, and we want to use every opportunity to complete every development project that we have as soon as possible.
“We don’t know when this Covid-19 would end – maybe it would not, but in the meantime, it’s important for the state to prioritise the economy and the livelihood of its people.
“I also think that everyone in Sarawak should focus on developing the state and do less politicking — ‘jangan bergaduh’
(do not fight each other),” he said.
In the 12MP announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the socioeconomic development of Sabah and Sarawak would continue to be given priority, in line with the federal government’s commitment to solving the issues relating to the demands of the two states over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In his tabling, Ismail Sabri said this would include the provision of basic infrastructure, gas and electricity regulations as well as in the aspects of digitisation and security.
The Prime Minister also said the provision of basic infrastructure would be intensified with the construction of bridges and upgrading of 1,400km of roads in the rural areas, as well as the completion of the 1,150km section of the Pan
Borneo Highway.
“Efforts to reduce the economic development gaps among states, provinces, urban and rural areas will continue to be given emphasis. Efforts to boost the development in the less-developed states, especially Sabah and Sarawak, will be intensified.
“This aims to accelerate the slow growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu, and reduce poverty rates especially in Sabah, Kelantan and Sarawak,” said Ismail Sabri.
The Prime Minister said as announced before, a total of RM7.7 billion, of which RM3.61 billion was allocated to Sabah and RM4.09 billion to Sarawak, had been set aside for the implementation of the National Digital Infrastructure Plan (JENDELA) during the 12MP period, meant to enhance broadband coverage.
He said apart from infrastructures such as roads, Ismail Sabri also touched on the aspects of healthcare, security, rural transformation, economic ties and security with Indonesia for Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat.