By DayakDaily Team
PULAU BRUIT, June 6: The appointment of contractors and project approval processes must be streamlined and accelerated to prevent persistent delays in rural development initiatives.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol has expressed concern over the delayed rollout of several approved projects in his Semop constituency.
“Some Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects approved as early as late 2023 have yet to show any signs of commencement by the relevant agencies.
“These delays are causing frustration and concern among villagers and longhouse residents, who have been waiting for essential amenities. These small to medium-scale infrastructure projects, valued between RM250,000 and RM450,000, are crucial in improving their quality of life and day-to-day activities,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report.
He made these remarks when met after officiating the Beef Distribution Programme in conjunction with the Aidiladha celebration, held simultaneously at the Kampung Semop and Kampung Tekajong community halls on Thursday (June 6).
Acknowledging the increasing workload faced by implementing agencies, the Semop assemblyman stressed the urgent need to address delays in appointing contractors, especially for small to medium-scale projects in rural areas.
“While we understand the capacity challenges of implementing agencies, I urge that the procedures for contractor appointments — particularly for rural projects of small to medium scale — be simplified and expedited, without compromising transparency and accountability,” he said.
Abdullah added that this call is in line with the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s directive for all Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblymen to increase their ground visits to monitor the timely implementation of development projects. — DayakDaily
