By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 4: The Sarawak government has allocated RM1.5 billion to accelerate rural development, especially in the education and health sectors.
According to a news report published today by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that the funds are under the purview of rural development agencies such as the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), and that a portion of the funds can be used to improve and rebuild schools and dilapidated clinics in rural areas.
The Premier also stated that the State government will help fund Federal projects in both (education and health) sectors, as agreed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week, with Sarawak financing the projects first and being reimbursed by the Federal government.
Abang Johari made the remarks when met by reporters during the ‘Majlis Iftar Ramadan dan Solat sunat Tarawih bersama warga Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) Kontinjen Sarawak’, which took place here yesterday (April 3).
He went on to say that the condition of Sarawak’s schools and clinics should be on par with the World Bank’s recognition of Sarawak as a high-income State.
Furthermore, the Premier revealed that more than 60 per cent of Sarawak’s clinics and schools are dilapidated and do not meet the standards set by the Public Works Department (JKR).
He added that the State government also plans to rebuild teachers’ and nurses’ quarters.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari joined the Sarawak Contingent PDRM members at the Al-Mujahidin Mosque, Tabuan Jaya Police Housing Complex for the Maghrib, Isya, and Sunat Tarawih prayers after breaking the fast.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata, Sarawak Contingent Police Family Association (Perkep) chairperson Datin Jennita William, Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Ibrahim Darus, Sarawak Contingent Perkep vice chairperson Datin Zanilatun Kamariah Zakaria, and Sarawak Contingent PDRM members. — DayakDaily
