KUCHING, May 28: There are 239 Sarawak government-funded projects worth RM2 billion in the Limbang division, says Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
These projects are implemented under alternative funding, the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and Projek Rakyat (People’s Projects).
Of the projects, 52 or 23.8 per cent have been completed, 37 (15.5 per cent) are on schedule, 14 (5.9 per cent) are ahead of schedule, 13 (5.4 per cent) are behind schedule, 81 (33.9 per cent) are under planning, and 24 (10 per cent) are sick projects.
These data were disclosed during the Sarawak Development Coordination Committee (SDCC) Limbang Division meeting chaired by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday (May 27).
Dr Sim pointed out that Sarawak used to be poor and solely dependent on the federal government for development projects.
However, since 2018, he said Sarawak has embarked on financial independence, which saw a revenue increase from RM6 billion in 2018 to RM11.9 billion last year.
For the first three months this year, Sarawak has already generated revenue of RM5 billion which is 45 per cent of the revenue projection for 2023.
“With the increase in revenue, Sarawak (is able) to fund more (projects) ourselves but now facing with (shortage in) local capacity to take up projects.
“Nonetheless, though Sarawak has more money ourselves, we must still fight for more federal development funding because it is the federal government’s obligation and responsibility to fund development projects fairly to every state irrespective Sarawak has its own money or not,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), further reminded all members of Parliament (MPs) from Sarawak not to forget Sarawak’s entitlements under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), calling them to fight for her fair share in Parliament. — DayakDaily
