By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 14: Batang Kemena Bridge in Bintulu and Sungai Limbang Bridge in Jalan Lawas-Merapok, Limbang are among the mega projects in Sarawak that are still in the finalisation process.
Senior Minister of Works Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said once finalised, the Batang Kemena Bridge which costs RM65 million and Sungai Limbang Bridge costing RM115 million will be handed over to Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) for implementation.
“The Ministry of Works (KKR) is overseeing about 11 road and bridge projects in Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“Some of the projects are being implemented, some have received project acceptance letters, while some are still in the procurement process,” he told a press conference after an engagement session with the state media at Waterfront Hotel today.
Under the Budget 2022, KKR has received RM7.306 billion in allocation of which the approved total budget to manage the ministry is valued at RM823 million compared to RM1.26 billion received for 2021 while the approved 2022 Development Budget increased by RM6.483 billion from RM6.088 billion in 2021.
Fadillah, who is the Petra Jaya MP, also mentioned that the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway and Jalan Central Spine in Peninsular Malaysia are among the high-impact national infrastructure development projects worth RM3.5 billion.
“The government has also set aside a total of RM1.51 billion for the maintenance of infrastructure which includes federal roads, federal buildings, traffic lights, street lights, and also the maintenance of quarters owned by KKR,” he added.
Apart from that, the government has allocated a start-up fund of RM200 million through the establishment of the Third Infrastructure Facilitation Fund.
Additionally, RM30 million is also allocated to upgrade the infrastructure of government buildings to be OKU-friendly.
“The government will also continue to implement small and medium projects worth RM2.9 billion earmarked for G1 to G4 class contractors nationwide,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
