Bintulu to have more affordable houses for growing population — Rep
MORE affordable houses are to be constructed in Tanjong Batu constituency to cater to the growing population in Bintulu, said Johnny Pang Leong Ming (GPS-Tanjong Batu).
Pang said under the State Budget 2023 which emphasised on urban renewal programme, more housing development programmes can be implemented in Tanjong Batu where affordable housing is much needed.
He said the budget also focused on developing human capital by enhancing the quality of education and an international school will be opened in Bintulu by 2025.
“With the completion of the international school, it will come in line with the increasing number of mega projects that will be approved in Bintulu in future,” said Pang when debating the State Budget 2023 during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
He said the international school can also cater for the children of foreign investors, who would then be more willing to relocate their family to Bintulu.
Besides, Pang said the budget will look into enhancing the state’s culture, sports and youth development.
“I hope that the one and only existing public sports facility in Bintulu, which is the Indoor and Outdoor Stadium of Bintulu, can be given attention for upgrading and refurbishing through the State Budget 2023.”
He looked forward to the RM47million allocation as stipulated in the budget for the development of sports facilities that would benefit the youths in Bintulu.
Nonetheless, Pang commended the RM11.035-billion Budget 2023 for being a surplus budget with 70 per cent of the financial allocations focused on infrastructure development, including in rural areas.
“What is also commendable about this state budget proposal is that our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has introduced new approaches to increase our state revenue.
“It is not through taxes on the people but generating new sources of revenue such as through the sales tax on exports of petroleum products, prudent investment, raw water royalty, aluminium products and coal. Just to name some of them,” said Pang.
He also said the setting up of a Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund that was passed in DUN on Tuesday would pave the way for the state to be more financially independent in the future.