RM5.2 bln for Sarawak

Allocation to build more roads and expand electricity, water supplies — DPM

Sarawak will be given a total of RM5.2 billion for roads, electricity and water under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Of that RM2 billion will be to upgrade rural roads and build 906km of new roads by 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who stated this on Saturday night, said the total length of roads in the state would increase from 20,333km to 21,239km in the next two years.

He added that RM1.7 billion had also been allocated to increase electricity supply from 66 per cent to 95 per cent by 2012, so that 77,788 households throughout the state would enjoy power supply.

Another RM1.5 billion would be spent to provide clean water to 95 per cent of rural households, also by 2012.

At present, only 59 per cent of rural households have access to clean water.

“In the context of Sarawak, the most relevant National Key Result Area (NKRA) is to improve the rural basic infrastructure, particularly the road network, treated water supply and electricity,” he said when opening the Gawai Carnival Redeems 2010 at Apar near here.

He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as prime minister would pay more attention to the needs of the people in Sarawak.

“There is still a lot more that needs to be done in Sarawak in our efforts to fulfil our responsibility as the government that look after the people.

“And I believe, with the mandate given by the people to BN, we will be able to fulfil our responsibility to ensure Sarawakians can live in prosperity. We do not want Sarawakians to be left behind from the development process and economic progress in this country,” he said.

Muhyddin was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman.

Also present were Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, federal and state ministers and Redeems president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.