By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 30: The Federal government has been urged to consider allocating funds directly to the Sarawak government and to adopt its procurement and project implementation procedures to facilitate the smooth execution of federal projects in the region.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also proposed that the Federal government take into account logistics costs, including project management expenses, in the approved project budgets, particularly for initiatives aimed at monitoring rural areas.
“Review the basic calculation rates for project costs in Sarawak to be more comprehensive, taking into account the vast geography, logistics challenges, topography, and the needs of scattered or remote communities,” he said.
He raised these improvements in his speech delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during a townhall meeting on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) at a local hotel today.
The townhall event, organised by the Malaysia Ministry of Economy and attended by Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli and Deputy Minister Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, addressed policies, challenges, and developmental aspirations for Sarawak.
Abang Johari also called for Sarawak government agencies to utilise Front End Engineering (FEE) allocations for preliminary work on new projects and upgrades, including road, bridge, and rural water supply and electricity initiatives, with the possibility of reimbursement once these projects are included in the next Rolling Plan.
“We hope the Federal government will recognise the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) as a technical agency to enhance efficiency in project implementation in Sarawak.
“Additionally, there is a pressing need to expedite the implementation of Value Management Laboratories for federal projects valued at over RM70 million and to reduce the approval period for project amendments (NOC),” he added. — DayakDaily
