By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 21: The Sarawak government has allocated RM195 million for the construction of new government buildings as well as upgrading and maintenance of existing ones to provide a conducive environment for the wellbeing of the State’s civil servants.
Of the total, RM28 million is for maintenance purposes while RM167 million is for upgrading existing buildings and constructing new buildings.
Apart from enhancing the working environment, the Sarawak government is also making an attempt to strengthen integrity within the civil service and civil society will continue to be Sarawak government’s top priority.
“When I took over the administration, I embarked on strengthening integrity and good governance with the implementation of numerous initiatives and programmes under Anti-Corruption Plan such as Corruption Risk Management (CRM), Organizational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) and Anti Bribery Management System (ABMS) MS ISO 37001:2016.
“Another key initiative is embarking on special integrity courses for SCS (Sarawak civil service). To-date we have 90 Certified Integrity Officers (CeIOs) and another 74 who have undergone three months’ training.
“Apart from that, Integrity Units have also been set up in all State agencies to implement integrity related activities,” said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg while tabling Sarawak Budget 2023 during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting at the DUN Complex here today.
On border security and the safeguarding of Sarawak’s sovereignty, he said the Sarawak government has requested the federal government improve Sarawak-Kalimantan border control efforts by increasing the number of police, General Operation Force (GOF) and army personnel, especially in several ‘hotspot’ areas where movement of illegal immigrants is quite rampant.
“Our security initiatives include equipping Sarawak border enforcement agencies, GOF and the army with all-terrain vehicles (ATV), drones and telecommunication equipment to facilitate the security forces in guarding our border,” said Abang Johari.
To protect Sarawak’s coastal territory and continental shelf, the State government has established its own Sarawak Coastguard to address the encroachment of foreign and local fishing vessels and protecting its marine resources.
“Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, a total scheme value of RM388 million has been approved for construction of 15 unit of assets and Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit office complexes in Sejingkat, Tanjung Manis, Bintulu, and Lawas. In 2023, a sum of RM23 million will be set aside for this purpose.
“We had also established the Sarawak Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) to guard the State’s borders towards addressing the issues of rabid dogs’ movement across the Sarawak-Kalimantan border,” said Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
