By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Aug 7: Allocations worth billions of ringgit provided by the federal government to Sarawak symbolise the federal government’s priority to continue developing the State.
Among them is RM5.77 billion that has been provided under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to develop and upgrade schools and educational institutions in Sarawak.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that of the 409 new development and extension projects, 111 are fully completed, 109 are at the implementation or construction stage, and 189 are in pre-construction status.
According to Ismail Sabri, an allocation of RM2.16 billion was also provided to cover 361 projects to upgrade and rebuild schools with dilapidated buildings.
“A total of 203 projects have been completed, 68 projects are in the construction stage while the rest are in the pre-construction stage,” said Ismail in his speech when officiating at the Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia programme held at Dataran Perayaan Petra Jaya, today.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said for the health sector, a total of six hospital and clinic construction projects were implemented in Sarawak, involving additional buildings, medical equipment, and living quarters.
“Sri Aman Hospital has been completed, while five more projects involving a cost of RM695.5 million in Miri, Mukah, Kuching and Serian are expected to be completed next year,” he added.
Ismail Sabri noted that the Ministry of Rural Development also provided an allocation of RM13.4 billion for infrastructure development to ensure the comfort and well-being of Sarawakians.
At the same time, he said, the federal and State governments are committed to providing broadband (internet) facilities to the people of this state through the National Digital Interconnection Programme (Jendela).
“For this purpose, the government has allocated RM4.09 billion under the 12MP to ensure comprehensive broadband access in Sarawak by 2030,” he said. — DayakDaily
