More funds needed for infrastructure in Sarawak, Sabah
SIBU: More funds are still required for the construction of infrastructure in Sarawak and Sabah, although the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) gives more attention to both states compared to previous plans, said Senator Robert Lau.
The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman pointed out that physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and Internet connectivity are still lacking in many areas of Sarawak, not only in the rural but also in populated areas.
“For example, a report mentioned that 94 per cent of populated areas in the country have 4G coverage. This is certainly not true for Sarawak.
“I had the opportunity to give my views on the 12th Malaysia Plan last year during a session organised for the senators by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of economic planning, and his team.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to raise some of the issues. The two key issues I touched on were on the big gap between development in Malaya and the two Borneo states and that this must be immediately addressed,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Lau was asked how the 12MP would benefit Sarawakians and on areas that need to be strengthened.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob tabled the motion on the 12MP (2021-2025) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
It was reported that Sabah and Sarawak will each continue receiving between 15 per cent and 18 per cent annually of the total basic development allocation in the 12MP.
According to the 12MP document released by Economic Planning Unit, a significant portion of this allocation will be channelled to the economic sectors in both states to contribute towards improving infrastructure and basic facilities in the two states.
Touching on the second issue, Lau explained that it is on the high number of hardcore poor and the widening income gap.
“The second issue is on the high number of hardcore poor (Sarawak and Sabah ranked the highest in Malaysia) and the income gap between the haves and the have-nots.
“This gap is still increasing. I read that this issue formed the 8th focus point of the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he noted.