KUCHING, Nov 5: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii is glad that State Budget 2019 had placed a big emphasis on development, especially in the rural areas.
“I welcome these developments, and as long as the people benefit directly, I am supportive.
“But it is just a shame that such announcements only came now, after all these years. I assume this is because the state election is fast approaching and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has felt somewhat threatened of losing power in the state.
“Who says changing government is not a good thing?” he said in a press statement today.
Dr Yii opined that the lack of development in the state was due to “chronic neglect” during the reign of the Barisan Nasional (BN).
“The issues we are facing did not just happen.”
Dr Yii said now that a huge budget had been tabled, there was a need for greater policies of accountability and transparency.
“This is so that the money is properly channelled and used with greater accountability and transparency so that it will directly benefit the people, not just cronies or people in power.
“The reality on the ground is the lack of infrastructure or development in Sarawak. It is not just down to lack of allocations but wastage, bad governance and corruption, as well. That need to be addressed so that the potential of the budget can be fully enjoyed by the people of Sarawak.”
Dr Yii also urged the state government to practise open tender for development projects so that the state could get best value from its allocations. — DayakDaily
