KUCHING, Nov 23: Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek strongly criticised the completion rate of Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects in his constituency from 2015 to 2023, labelling it as “completely unacceptable,” with only a meager 25.3 per cent of projects completed during this period.
Chieng said this was revealed during the RTP Year 2024 workshop held on Nov 15, 2023 at a hotel in Sibu.
“The RTP projects were only allocated to N.51 Bukit Assek constituency starting from year 2022. This means that for both years 2022 and 2023, only 25.3 per cent of the RTP projects have been completed.
“Moreover, the contracts for the first two RTP projects in 2023 were just handed over to the contractors on Nov 10, 2023. It is totally unacceptable,” he said when debating Sarawak Budget 2024 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting at DUN Complex here today.
Chieng expressed his hope the relevant ministries will look into this matter seriously while asserting that he would not tolerate any possible maladministration or misconduct in government actions.
Referring to the newly-passed Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023, he hinted that he could be the first elected representative to lodge a report over this issue with the Sarawak Ombudsman Office for investigation, ensuring proper administration and providing effective measures against maladministration by Sarawak public service agencies.
“I urge all concerned agencies to step up their efforts, demanding that all pending RTP projects from year 2022, 2023 and the new ones for 2024 be completed by the end of 2024.
“These projects are vital for the people and the community. Let’s not disappoint them with delays as it could harm the reputation of the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
