RM1 bln stimulus projects on track – Awg Tengah

LAWAS: All approved projects under the RM1 billion special federal allocation for Sarawak as part of the economic stimulus are expected to be completed on schedule, except for a few facing technical problems.

Projects under the national key results areas (NKRAs) funded by over RM 4 billion federal allocation for the period 2010-2012 will be buzzing from next year although some projects had already taken off this year.

Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said these at his Hari Raya Open house here yesterday.

He said the state government is closely monitoring implementation of all the projects under the special stimulus allocation which must be spent by this year end for improvement of basic infrastructure and amenities throughout the state.

“I am happy with the progress as most are on track and only a few are delayed due to technical problems faced, and we are working towards continuing them next year,” he said.

The funds were already allocated to the state.

This category caters for projects already ear-marked for implementation by the state government such as rural village roads, alternative water supply and others amenities. Most are already in different stages of completion.

Awang Tengah said deadline for NKRAs projects is 2012, and the preliminaries involving planning and tenders for these projects were already in earnest, with some being implemented.

Under the (NKRAs) outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Sarawak was allocated RM 1.76 billion for rural electrification scheme, (RES), RM 2 billion for rural roads and RM 1.5 billion for rural water supply.

These projects will be on a roll from now towards the end of 2012 as implementation picks up steam in the next two years.

“Some are already implemented and I am confident that we could implement them all by 2012,” he said.

On Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations in northern Sarawak, he said it was a celebration of all communities, irrespective of whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, which further strengthened the social fabric and harmony.

The Iban and Chinese communities were among the thousands who came to his Raya Open House, adding ngajat and lion dance performances, with Raya songs filling the air.

The visitors included Consul General of Brunei Darussalam to Sarawak Kamani Noordin, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong and his Limbang counterpart Hasbi Habibolah, assemblymen Nelson Balang Rining ( Ba Kelalan), Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (Bukit Kota) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), Temengong Ang Kheng Su, Temengong Paris Kaya and Temengong Sabli Hamid.

“This spirit of harmony, solidarity, co-operation and unity must remain strong for us in Malaysia to move forward,” he said.


Pix: FORGING BILATERAL TIES: (From left) Kamani shares a point with Henry Sum and Awang Tengah.
September 12, 2010, Sunday