By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 16: Proper early groundwork must be carried out for all Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) projects to avoid delays and ensure timely implementation, stressed Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
In a Facebook post yesterday (May 15), Nanta who is also URDA chairman, said technical readiness is just as important as financial allocation.
“I emphasised that URDA and all parties involved in implementing its various projects must prioritise technical aspects alongside financial allocations.
“Preliminary work must be done to prevent delays in project implementation.
“More importantly, every project must prioritise the interests of the people and must not be disrupted or affected by individuals with personal interests or hidden agendas,” he added.
He made these points during his speech at the URDA Project and Programme Proposal Lab under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), held at the Penview Convention Centre (PCCK) in Demak on the same day.
Earlier, Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni shared that URDA had been allocated RM1.5 billion under the State Alternative Funding initiative in 2019 to implement 43 infrastructure projects.
He also noted that eight projects from RMK-12 will be carried over to RMK-13 with a combined value exceeding RM973 million.
During the week-long URDA Sub-Committee Meeting from May 9 to 15, a total of 223 project and programme proposals were identified for RMK-13, with an estimated cost exceeding RM20 billion.
The lab brought together key stakeholders to discuss and refine the scope and cost of shortlisted proposals to ensure they meet the real needs of rural communities.
Nanta emphasised that strong collaboration between URDA and local stakeholders is vital to accelerating development in Kapit and surrounding areas.
“With careful planning under RMK-13, we can ensure each proposed initiative is relevant and delivers meaningful impact to the well-being of rural Sarawakians,” he said. — DayakDaily
