Kota Kinabalu: The respective Federal Ministries are urged not to delay submitting the list of development projects below RM50 million to the Sabah and Sarawak governments.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic) said they should submit the list by January for immediate implementation.
“Actually Sabah and Sarawak could have carried out these projects since last year through technical agencies certified by Public Works Department (JKR) and Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS).
“However, there were some issues in terms of implementation, among others, as there was a little issue due to the budget that was late, last year.
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He was commenting on Mustapha’s statement requesting Federal to disburse development funding for Sabah soon as possible so that the projects could be carried out, including the RM6.6 billion allotted for Sabah as announced by the Prime Minister in the 2024 National Budget.
Armizan, who is also Acting Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, said this after officiating a Jualan Rahmah programme at Kg Warisan, Darau, Sunday.
Also present were Mustapha, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sabah Director Georgie Abas and other senior officials.
Armizan said the Prime Minister has told all the ministries to be ready once the 2024 Budget was passed in Parliament.
“I am confident that our government is stable and In Sha Allah (God Willing) the proposed budget is approved.
“The Federal ministries should not wait until the budget is passed. They should start detailing the list of projects this year so that they could send it early next year to Sabah and Sarawak.
“The moment parliament approves, implement it. Please do not delay and prepare the necessary works so that funding for any development projects could be channelled immediately to benefit the people in both states.”
He said the action of Federal ministries delaying the works can be considered as not sabotaging but counter-productive to the high commitment of the Prime Minister.
Armizan said both states should have the first right of refusal for the list and they should thoroughly check which project they wish to do and which projects to be handed over to the Federal Government.
Earlier, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharam said development funds for Sabah in the 2024 National Budget should be channelled by February unlike in July as previously.
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