By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 31: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has called on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives to be candid and outspoken on infrastructure issues, particularly projects that have been approved but have yet to start in their constituencies.
Officiating the Sarawak Infrastructure Engagement Programme 2026 at a hotel here today, Uggah urged participants to provide honest feedback, even if it meant criticising project implementation.
“You hantam dia orang kuat-kuat (bash them hard),” he said, encouraging members of parliament (MPs) and State assemblymen to openly raise concerns during breakout sessions with divisional engineers.
He explained that such frank discussions are crucial to identifying delays, unresolved issues and projects that have yet to commence despite approval.
“We need frank feedback. First, we want to know whether projects in your area that have been approved have not started yet.
“This year is going to be an interesting year. It is in our interest that these projects should be taken up. Of course, there are other issues on the ground and we hope this can be deliberated today,” he added.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), acknowledged that there have been shortcomings in project delivery, offering an apology on behalf of MIPD and JKR.
“Sometimes we fail you, not with ill intent, but due to issues that may not have been resolved. But we are committed to addressing them,” he said.
He added that feedback gathered from the sessions would be reviewed by the ministry and JKR to refine strategies and improve project implementation.
“This is about ensuring that what has been approved and allocated will be delivered to the people,” he stressed.
Uggah also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening engagement through initiatives such as the Sarawakku Sayang Programme, which aims to bring services closer to communities across the State. — DayakDaily
