By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 20: A total of RM14.4 billion has been expended to finance 1,476 projects including the Coastal Road and Second Trunk Road projects under the Alternative Funding initiative and the 12th Malaysia Plan or 12MP (2021-2025).
Second Minister for Finance and New Economy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said out of the 1,476 projects, 921 projects or 62 per cent have been completed while 555 are currently at various stages of implementation.
Apart from the Coastal Road project and Second Trunk Road project, other projects under the Alternative Finding initiative include Sarawak Water Supply Grid (stressed areas) projects, projects under various regional development agencies, Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) tower and Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) projects, educational facilities and building projects for Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEX) and international schools, and the Bebuling STOLport project in Betong.
In terms of Sarawak-funded projects, Uggah who is also Deputy Premier said during the 12MP Mid-Term Review, the ceiling has been raised to RM38 billion to fund 1,412 projects.
“This increased ceiling allows for the implementation of many more strategic development projects aimed at addressing critical infrastructure gaps and accelerating economic growth throughout Sarawak,” said Uggah while delivery his ministerial winding-up speech during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Of these 1,412 projects, 1,006 are physical projects of which 250 have been completed. The remaining 756 projects are at various stages of implementation.
“Cumulatively, RM23 billion of the total of Sarawak 12MP’s ceiling has been spent. Expenditure is expected to increase further as the ongoing project activities continue progressing,” said Uggah.
With regards to Project Rakyat, he said to date, the number of approved projects is 712 with a total cost of RM9.5 billion. Out of the 712 projects, 234 of them have been completed, with remaining 478 at various stages of implementation.
Among these projects are upgrading of five critical roundabouts in Samarahan; a flood mitigation project and drainage system at Taman Ecopark, Miri; Maruti Bridge (over Baram); relocation and reconstruction of SK Polo, Kuching; construction of Penabkub Ulu Bridge, Mukah and a dedicated pipeline from Berawan Reservoir to Lubok Tuan Booster Station, Limbang.
On rural transformation projects, Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman (GPS-PBB) reported that to date, RM3.59 billion has been expended out of the allocated RM4.86 billion.
“Under the 12MP, 10,600 projects have been approved with a total allocation of RM1.64 billion of which RM1.43 billion has been expended to date.
“Projects completed include 419 places of worship, 4,501 infrastructure projects, 349 school repair (projects) and 199 projects related to water and electricity supply,” said Uggah. — DayakDaily
