By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Oct 19: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hopes the federal government would continue to focus on rural development projects and programmes for Sarawak.
He was commenting on the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) mid-term review that was tabled by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday. The prime minister announced that Sarawak and Sabah would get priority attention in the remainder of the 11MP.
“He (Dr Mahathir) promised that (the 11MP) will continue for Sarawak and Sabah, which I hoped will be done. This is because there have been some rural development projects being cancelled,” Abang Johari told reporters after opening Amamas Boutique Hotel near RH Plaza here this afternoon.
He added that he had no details of the cancelled rural projects offhand, but some of it was in Betong.
He was talking about the 65 projects under Projek Mesra Rakyat, Penyelenggaraan Infrastruktur Awam (PIA) and Projek Infrastruktur Asas (PIAS) there that was cancelled, according to a news report last week.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said he agreed in principle with Dr Mahathir’s proposal to limit the terms for Prime Minister, Menteri Besar and Chief Minister to two terms, which would mean amending the federal and state constitutions.
“For the federal side, it is up to him (Dr Mahathir), but Sarawak is autonomous. We will see. In principle it is good.
“I have to discuss with all the (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) political parties, get their views first,” he said when asked if the state would emulate it. — DayakDaily
