KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27: The construction of a new road in particular Jalan Nanga Tulie to Rumah Bujah, Nanga Pelagus in Kapit which costs an estimated RM280 million will be among the road infrastructure projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) (2021-2025).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said a total of approximately 2,800 kilometers (km) of road in the rural areas throughout the country will be upgraded and tar-sealed under 12MP.
The other road projects include Jalan Dudar to Taburan to Mendawang in Kota Belud, Sabah costing RM101 million, Felcra Ulu Kerut junction to Kg Orang Asli Bot-Bot to Felda Jengka 7 to Jalan Kilang Sawit Jengka 18 in Maran, Pahang costing RM135.3 million and Jalan Baharu from Kampung Gagu to Ulu Beranang in Negeri Sembilan with an estimated cost of RM179.2 million.
Ismail Sabri added infrastructure development in less developed States like Sabah and Sarawak will be given priority under 12MP as one of the focuses of the Plan is to propel the economic development in Sabah, Sarawak and less developed States such as Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu.
He added 12MP is also aimed at accelerating the economic growth and reducing the poverty rate in Sabah, Kelantan and Sarawak.
“As I said before, I am committed to solve the issues with regards to Sabah and Sarawak rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“This includes basic infrastructure needs, gas and electricity regulatory, digitalisation and security aspects.
“Hence, Sabah and Sarawak will continue to be given priority under 12MP.
“With the implementation and initiatives to propel Sabah and Sarawak development, the average yearly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for Sabah is expected to grow by 6.5 per cent and Sarawak by 5.3 per cent from 2021 until 2025.
“I am confident that both States have the ability and the resources which can be fully optimised.
“Hence, the actual economic development can be higher than the projected growth rate,” he said when tabling 12MP in the Parliament today.
Ismail Sabri added basic infrastructure in less developed States will be expanded with the construction of bridges and upgrading of 1,400km of tar-sealed roads in rural areas as well as the completion of the 1,150km Pan Borneo Highway.
He said a road project from the border of Ba’kelalan or Menghala Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex to Lawas will commence in early 2022.
To ensure security and economic cooperation with Kalimantan, Indonesia, Ismail Sabri disclosed that a new border control checkpoint at Manalunan, Simanggaris and Kalabakan, Sabah will be built while the Tebedu and Serikin Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complexs in Sarawak will be upgraded.
He added an Air Force Bare Base will also be built in Bintulu to strengthen the security at the border.
On another note, the prime minister said healthcare services in Sabah and Sarawak will be enhanced with the completion of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Teaching Hospital and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Teaching Hospital.
Ismail Sabri added the construction of 26 new health clinics is expected to improve healthcare services in the rural areas of both States as well.
The prime minister said new and dilapidated houses will be built under the housing assistance programme which will benefit 26,000 poor families in Sabah and Sarawak.
At the same time, Ismail Sabri reiterated that the federal government will allocate RM3.61 billion to Sabah and RM4.09 billion to Sarawak under 12MP to implement the National Digital Network (Jendela) to upgrade digital infrastructure networks including building telecommunication towers.
He disclosed that as of August 2021, a total of 2,645 telecommunication towers have been built in Sabah and 2,117 telecommunication towers in Sarawak.
“To improve the supply of electricity, new power plant will be constructed and the Sabah West-East Transmission Line will be upgraded.
“The Baleh hydroelectric power project in Sarawak is expected to be completed by 2025,” he said.
Ismail Sabri revealed that the federal government has allocated RM400 billion for projects under 12MP.
Earlier, he said the government has spent RM248.5 billion for development under 11MP. — DayakDaily
