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A TOTAL 24 essential public infrastructure projects like rural roads and bridges funded by the Federal Government for Sarawak during the 12th Malaysia Plan have not been implemented in Sarawak.
These projects mostly planned for rural communities are worth RM 1.4 billion and though Putrajaya had approved the allocations, there were numerous problems, including with the hiring of contractors.
These outstanding projects in Sarawak must be carried out and the federal allocations used for the intended purposes before Putrajaya channels new funds for the 13th Malaysia Plan, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid arrived in Sarawak yesterday to check the progress of the latest rural development projects here.
He yesterday visited the Rumah Enteri longhouse in the remote Betong district in central Sarawak to meet the rakyat there.
This morning, he attended a briefing with state ministries in Kuching on the latest on rural development projects in Sarawak.
"We (federal and state authorities) must start the 24 projects worth RM 1.4 billion that have not been done in Sarawak.
"We must complete them as planned.
"There is no point getting into the new projects for the 13th Malaysia Plan if the ones for the 12th MP are not carried out," Zahid said at the briefing today.
Earlier this year, on May 19, Zahid had visited Sibu district in central Sarawak and promised to help rescue sick infrastructure projects in Sarawak that are crucial to the one million rural folks in this state.
He had then directed his federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry senior officials in Putrajaya to liaise with the federal Works Ministry on those projects that are delayed or abandoned in this state. - November 3, 2024