BY Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Sept 27: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has clarified that the Sarawak government does not “hinder” the implementation of federal projects in Sarawak.
Instead, he emphasised that the Sarawak government have facilitated the implementation of these projects which will benefit the people of Sarawak.
“The YB (elected representative) of the other side has alleged that the state government is hindering the implementation of (federal) projects and I assure that we will not hinder. Why should we hinder the projects? Why should we disturb the project implementation?,” he said.
“We facilitate (projects implementation) and if they (federal) have any concrete projects that have been hindered, they must come up to us with proof. This committee is where we work together for the benefit of Sarawak,” he added.
He was met after co-chairing the Third Meeting of the Action Council, a joint Sarawak-Federal Governments Action Committee, to focus on development issues in the state held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
While Uggah did not mention any names, he was likely to be responding to Saratok MP Ali Biju who recently complaint that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) had not being helpful but instead, had been making it difficult for the federal government to implement development projects in Sarawak.
“We never hinder. That is why we sit down in this committee to make sure all projects in Sarawak are implemented smoothly and speedily for the benefits of the people in Sarawak,” he stressed.
“The GPS government wants to make sure that whatever fund from Kuala Lumpur will bring about projects that once implemented will benefit us,” he added.
While GPS government was represented by Uggah, Works Minister Baru Bian represented the federal government.
Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How and Tanjung Batu assemblyman Chiew Chiu Sing were present.
Describing the meeting as “fruitful”, Uggah informed that he was briefed especially on the progress of dilapidated schools.
“It is (the whole project of dilapidated schools) going on well. They have set up a committee to make sure that the project will be implemented as soon as possible,” he said.
On issues related to health, he explained that a Coordination Committee will be set up comprising of the Ministry of Local Government headed by Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and the Health Minister in Putrajaya.
