KUCHING, July 20: The Sarawak government has given assurance that the federal government’s austerity measures will not be implemented in the State.
According to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that the Sarawak government is capable of continuing the projects.
“We do not rule out the possibility that the federal government’s austerity policy will have an impact, but the Sarawak government will proceed with what is planned, such as the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) or bridge construction projects.
“But that doesn’t mean we don’t save; if we take the same steps (austerity drive), people will lose their jobs and the State’s economy will suffer,” Abang Johari said at a press conference after officiating at the Sarawak Fatwa Seminar, which was held in conjunction with the Sarawak Mufti Department’s Silver Jubilee Celebration yesterday at a local hotel here.
Meanwhile, he stated that for sick or delayed federal government projects, the State government is ready to take over and implement the projects by helping to pay the advance.
However, he asserted that once the construction is completed, the federal government would be required to reimburse the cost of the financing.
Also present were State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, acting State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak State Mufti Sahibus Samahah Kipli Yassin, and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Misnu Taha. — DayakDaily
