Additional allocation of RM995 mil for Sabah and Sarawak
LABUAN:
A total ofRM995 million has been set aside to Sabah and Sarawak as an additional allocation for basic infrastructure development projects. In Peninsular Malaysia, about RM100 million has been approved for a similar purpose, with an increase in allocation being consideed. The Federal Government gave this approval through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry after a mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Speaking to reporters after officiating the KEMAS kindergarten building at Membedai here yesterday, Ministry Secretary- General Datuk Jamilah Kamis said the allocation was for rüral road construction and water supply. “Sabah and Sarawak have been given special attention in terms of allocation for basic infrastructure development,” she said. Jamilah said of the amount, RM595 million was meant for the construction of rural roads while another RM400 million was for water supply. According to her, with the additional allocation, her Ministry had an allocation of RM1 2 billion, as compared to RM 11 billion of its previous allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Jamilah said her Ministry was studying and looking into several projects whose implementation was deferred. “There are projects that have been deferred... they can still be brought forward to the 10th Malaysia Plan. But we will ensure these projects are continued, as approval had been given. “We hope that with the additional allocations, we should be able to see the projects take off the ground. “We are aware that some contractors are feeling the pinch due to the deferment of the projects.. .but we hope they are patient,” she added. She said the additional allocation showed that the Federal Government was sensitive and caring towards the people’s needs. “This is line with the Government’s focus for rural areas to have basic infrastructure like other States in the country,” she said.
