KUCHING, Feb 10: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will ensure that any development gap and disparities in infrastructure development between Sarawak and the rest of Malaysia will be closed and balanced out.
He said Sarawak deserved a bigger allocation for development because of its massive land size and immediate need for infrastructure development particularly in the interiors and rural areas of the state.
“With the visits and number of projects and allocations I approved for Sarawak over the years since I became Prime Minister, I assure you that I am a good friend to Sarawak.
“I want to see all states and members in Malaysia with no development gap. There should be no development gap in Malaysia in this day and age. Hence, I think it is worth it to allocate more money for Sarawak.
“No matter how much the allocation, what I promised, I will do,” Najib said during the opening of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Convention at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He also cited examples of projects and allocations he had approved for the state such as the ‘missing link’ to Kapit town which is now being implemented through several road projects to ensure the town would be connected, as well as the Pan-Borneo Highway project which is ongoing.
Najib also supported the idea of the state’s Light Rail Transport (LRT) project proposed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg last year.
He said if the Peninsula has the Medium Rail Transport (MRT), there was no reason for Sarawak not to be able to have an LRT.
“But Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) must do well in the coming general election,” Najib added.
Najib, who is also Umno president, also assured some 2,000 PBB delegates attending the convention, that the Peninsula-based Umno will not enter the state to disrupt its political stability.
“Umno has no intention to come and spread to Sarawak, I assure you. Do not worry because we already have a very strong BN partner here which is PBB,” he said. — DayakDaily
