KUCHING, OCT 30 – Funds in excess of RM100 billion are needed to implement various planned developments in Sarawak during the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) period and the Federal government is requested to consider this requirement.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the construction of 1,292 kilometers (km) of new roads and the upgrading of 4,782 km of existing roads required funds amounting to RM38.4 billion while RM20 billion was needed to achieve 100 percent coverage of clean water supply.
“It is estimated that more than 5,500 households have not received electricity, therefore Sarawak needs an allocation of RM1.3 billion to achieve 100 percent 24-hour electricity supply in rural areas,” he said in his speech during the RMK13 Management Engagement Session here today.
In the text of his speech which was read by his deputy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah at the event, Abang Johari said a total of RM7.89 billion was needed for the construction of new health facilities, upgrading and refurbishing and maintaining health facilities.
“The Sarawak government needs a total of RM5.2 billion to overcome the problem of poor schools and RM54 million to overcome the problem of lack of science laboratory facilities,” he said.
In addition, Abang Johari said as much as RM6.3 billion was needed for the construction of 1,800 telecommunications towers or structures to achieve full Internet coverage in Sarawak, in addition to RM140 million needed for the perimeter measurement of bumiputera customary land (NCR).
He also hoped that the Federal Government would consider the construction of border roads and connecting roads along 1,487km with an estimated cost of RM38 billion to ensure that national sovereignty is maintained and catalyze border development.
He said Sarawak will also develop a rice granary area with an estimated cost of RM1 billion, with RM500 million borne by the state government and hopes that the remaining RM500 million will be borne by the Federal government.
“I hope the federal government will examine and consider the needs of Sarawak because this state is one of the main contributors to the Malaysian economy. The prosperity of Sarawak will also prosper Malaysia,” he added.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and his deputy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib were also present at the engagement session. – Named