12MP: Focus on Sarawak, Sabah
Putrajaya to continue developing Borneo region in final period of 12th M’sia Plan – PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The government continues to focus on the development in the Sabah and Sarawak regions through various projects and new initiatives in the final period of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 12MP Mid-Term Review in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, said to ensure Sabah’s development, the government will transfer electricity regulatory powers to the state government.
He said through the transfer of power, which is expected to be finalised by January next year, the Sabah government has the authority to regulate the supply of gas and electricity based on the interests of the state.
In addition, he said the project to develop the renewable energy system and upgrade the electricity supply system in the Gugusan Felda Sahabat will also be implemented to improve the reliability of the electricity supply in the state.
“This project, costing RM195 million, will benefit the people in the area and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom),” he said.
To improve the quality of the education system in both regions, the Prime Minister said more projects to repair dilapidated school buildings would be implemented.
“Until now, a total of 64 projects are being implemented in Sarawak and another 43 projects in Sabah,” he said.
Within the Madani Economy framework, our approach is cross-racial, whether it’s eliminating poverty or repairing dilapidated schools.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar also said that a regional blood centre will be established in Sabah, while a public health laboratory and a food safety and quality laboratory will be built in Kuching, Sarawak for more equitable healthcare services.
Sabah and Sarawak will also benefit from the development of a sustainable and resilient transport and logistics infrastructure with the construction of the SarawakSabah Link Road II and the construction of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway Phase 1B, he said.
The government is also implementing the Sarawak Bumiputera Special Programme and the Sabah Natives Special programme to increase the income of the local community.
“Within the Madani Economy framework, our approach is cross-racial, whether it’s eliminating poverty or repairing dilapidated schools,” he said.
Meanwhile, Comprehensive Special Model School 11 (K11) will be established in Sabah and Sarawak to reduce the number of dropout of students from Form 3 to Form 4, and to provide access to 11 years of schooling (Standard 1 to Form 5) to all children in the two regions.
According to the 12MP MidTerm Review released by the Ministry of Economy, more dilapidated schools which are categorised on Scale Seven based on the School Building Condition Index will be replaced.
“A centre for children with special needs will also be established in Sabah and Sarawak to ensure children with autism receive early intervention and education,” it said.
Focus will also be given to developing teaching and learning skills among the teachers through adapting and understanding local culture in rural and remote areas, as well as improving facilities and infrastructure, including digital infrastructure in schools and education offices.
A total of 26,000 dilapidated houses will also be repaired and rebuilt under the Housing Aid Programme to improve the living conditions of the poor in Sabah and Sarawak.
On access to healthcare services in both regions, care services for older persons in health clinics and hospitals will be integrated, as well as invasive cardiac laboratories in public hospitals will also be developed in phases to reduce morbidity and mortality due to heart disease.
In addition, the Madani Medical Scheme will continue to be implemented to enable people with limited financial capability to obtain services from private healthcare providers, in the hope that this effort will help reduce congestion in public healthcare facilities.
In terms of security and public safety, more security posts will be set up and the frequency of patrolling and monitoring will be intensified to strengthen border controls.
The remote sensor site in Sabah will also be upgraded, and new facilities will be developed in Sarawak to address potential threats.
Meanwhile, the development of the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land based on an integrated land development approach will be further strengthened through cooperation among federal agencies, state governments and the private sector.
Survey and mapping exercises of the NCR land will be expedited to facilitate state governments in gazetting and granting land titles.
These initiatives will enable NCR land development and create more income-generating opportunities for Anak Negeri Sabah and Bumiputera Sarawak.
According to the 12MP Mid-Term Review, digital infrastructure will continue to be provided in the remaining locations in Sabah and Sarawak under Jendela.
It said the construction of telecommunication infrastructure will also be expedited by prioritising government-owned land or buildings and continuous efforts in providing Points of Presence in areas surrounding schools will be undertaken to improve broadband connectivity.