By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 21: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen has been urged not to view Sarawak’s policy requiring at least 30 per cent of the total value of development project packages for large-scale projects worth RM100 million and above to be allocated to Bumiputera contractors through a racial lens.
Second Minister for Finance and New Economy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the policy was not a blanket requirement imposed on all State government projects or procurement exercises, but was specifically applicable to qualifying large-scale projects implemented through several work packages by State departments, statutory bodies and Sarawak government-linked companies (GLCs).
“Under the policy, at least 30 per cent of the total value of the project packages shall be allocated to Bumiputera contractors. It is important to emphasise that the 30 percent requirement does not mean that every project or every procurement package must be reserved for Bumiputera contractors. Rather, the requirement is assessed against the aggregate value of the contract packages within a qualifying large-scale project.
“As such, only the portion specifically allocated to fulfil the participation requirement is subject to the policy. Packages outside the designated Bumiputera allocation will continue to be awarded through normal procurement process,” he said when responding to the issue during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) sitting today.
Uggah emphasised that non-Bumiputera contractors would continue to have opportunities to participate in such projects as main contractors, joint-venture partners and subcontractors.
He described the policy as a means of promoting more equitable wealth distribution and strengthening the participation of Bumiputera businesses in Sarawak’s economic development.
“I must emphasise that this policy is not a zero-sum game. A stronger, more prosperous Bumiputera community will create a larger economic pie for everyone. It will create new supply chains, new subcontracting opportunities, and a more stable and equitable Sarawak,” he said.
Uggah urged Chong to look beyond the racial considerations of the past and consider Sarawak’s economic aspirations in 2026 and beyond.
“I urge the Honourable Member for Padungan to stop looking at this through the lenses of 1971 and racial perspective. Look at Sarawak of 2026 and beyond, because we are building a future where every Sarawakian, regardless of race and background, has a stake in our prosperity,” he said.
He added that the government would need to review the policy once Bumiputera contractors and businesses were sufficiently established to stand on their own feet and compete on a level playing field.
On efforts to strengthen Bumiputera contractors, Uggah said the Program Kontraktor Berdaya Saing (PKBS), introduced in 2023, had selected 455 contractors to participate in 130 projects with an approved allocation of RM79.8 million.
“Of these, 80 projects worth RM42.48 million had been awarded to 51 successful contractors,” he said.
As of September 2026, the Program Peningkatan Usahawan Bumiputera (PUTERA) had approved 261 applications worth RM1.9 million for equipment, machinery and tools.
The government also operated 25 Pusat Inkubator Usahawan (PIBU) centres statewide, serving 5,953 participants, with a new centre in Subis expected to begin operations next year.
Meanwhile, the Program Skim Pembiayaan Kontraktor Kecil Bumiputera (SPKB) had provided RM10.5 million in financing to 81 contractors as of September, compared with RM8.4 million for 62 contractors last year.
Under the Bumiputera furniture vendor development programme, 30 vendors had been appointed by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation to supply furniture to government offices through contracts worth RM5 million annually.
Uggah said 89 training courses had also been conducted as of September, benefiting 4,735 participants.
He added that the Bumiputera Participation Policy for State Statutory Bodies and GLCs aimed to expand Bumiputera involvement in construction, supply chains, development expenditure and large-scale projects, alongside measures to strengthen business capacity, competitiveness and long-term sustainability. — DayakDaily
