PETRA JAYA: The Rural Development Ministry has given its green light for 105 rural projects in Sarawak to be resumed.
Its Minister Rina Mohd Harun said the Ministry had reviewed the projects in the last two months and had decided to proceed with all of them in Sarawak except one road project in Bintulu.
“All the projects in the state will resume except one road project in Bintulu, which costs about RM2 million, which will be postponed,” she said.
Rina, however, did not elaborate on the reason for the postponement.
The 105 projects costing RM916 million will be carried out in stages.
“We are a people-centric government and the welfare and wellbeing of the people remains our top priority in everything we do,” she said.
She was speaking at a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here after paying a courtesy call on the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg.
Among the issues discussed include electricity and water supply to the remote areas as well as housing assistance for rural folks.
“We want to work closely and maintain a good relationship with the state government, to ensure all projects will be implemented smoothly and promptly for the benefit of the people,” she said.
“Apart from that, a special committee will be formed to coordinate the implementation of federal projects to avoid any overlapping issues,” she said.
Rina expected to conduct a tour around the remote areas in Sarawak this year end to engage with the grassroot community and better understand various issues on the ground.
“I will come back again in December for a meeting with the state government and visit the rural areas as well as spend a few nights at the longhouse,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state government was committed to cooperate with the Federal Government so as to intensify rural development and resolve various issues faced by the remote community.