By Karen Bong
KOTA SAMARAHAN, May 4: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has allocated RM917 million this year for the implementation of 214 projects in Sarawak.
Federal Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said 38 of them are new projects and 203 are extension projects.
“Of the total projects, 178 projects are in the pre-implementation stage, 41 projects are in the implementation stage, while the rest are in the post-implementation stage and under observation,” she told a press conference at her Hari Raya open house at Kota Samarahan Civic Centre here today.
Rubiah, who is also Kota Samarahan member of Parliament (MP), said in Sarawak, the Ministry is focusing on implementing 14 Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) projects with an allocation of RM170.5 million, 76 rural road projects involving RM169 million, and 56 rural water supply projects worth RM136 million.
“In addition, the Ministry also implements 30 rural bridges projects, two rural road projects and one Social Amenity Programme (PAMS), apart from projects and programmes implemented by agencies under KKDW such as MARA, Felcra, Risda and Kemas,” she added.
With these projects and programmes, Rubiah said these will bridge the gap between urban and rural areas in Sarawak.
“The move aims to create a more conducive environment for the wellbeing of the people in rural areas, providing them with basic facilities as their urban counterparts.
“The Ministry is committed to balancing rural and urban development, especially in Sarawak,” she emphasised.
Earlier on, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the Hari Raya open house.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Federal Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri, and Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang were among those present. — DayakDaily
