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KUCHING, June 14: Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak deputy minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan applauds Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to transfer minor infrastructure projects from the Public Works Department (JKR) to other departments, which will expedite project completion.
However, Snowdan highlighted that a potential issue is whether departments such as district offices have the technical capacity to handle projects independently without reference to JKR.
“Some projects entail the involvement of more experts, such as engineers, surveyors, consultants, and others.
“In other words, capacity building is essential because it is lacking in these departments,” he told reporters when asked for his thoughts on Anwar’s announcement that smaller projects such as repairs or upgrades to dilapidated schools, clinics, public toilets, road maintenance, or drainage systems be handled by other departments or district offices rather than JKR, which is already burdened by large projects such as airports, ports, bridges, jetties, and so on.
He continued by stating that some departments, such as the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), local councils, and land and surveys, require specialised and expert knowledge.
Snowdan added that for infrastructures to be properly implemented, departments must work together.
“For all we know, district offices, for example, are more limited to administrative functions.
“However, some administrative formalities, such as agreement drafting, acceptance, tendering, or inspection, can be handled by district offices. They are closer to the projects.
“As an interim solution, it is likely that these technical knowledge or experts will be outsourced from the private sector,” he noted.
Snowdan, who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman, stated that in the context of Sarawak, Anwar’s decision is more evident in light of the numerous minor rural projects (MRP) and rural transformation projects (RTP) approved by the state government via the state legislative assemblymen.
He emphasised that the projects are numerous and have already overburdened the state JKR to implement.
“Again, in Sarawak’s context, many infrastructure projects, such as road construction, agricultural drainage, flood mitigation, construction of a ‘dewan’ or hall, small bridges, or jetties, are much required on an urgent basis,” he said. — DayakDaily
