MIRI – Bridging the vast rural-urban divide that is still widening in Sarawak must be the key focus of both the state and federal governments in the 12th Malaysia Plan midterm review, said Sarawak Pakatan Harapan.
Its information chief Senator Abun Sui said the midterm review coincided with the 60 years of Malaysia celebrations and there must be a serious review of how wide the rural and urban divide is in Sarawak.
“The Malaysia Day celebrations are very timely in that the federal government is undertaking a midterm review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“The key focus by both the state and federal government leaders in this important stage of the country must be to look into bridging the huge rural-urban divide.
“The key priority areas are still the very basic infrastructure needs that are still so lacking. The king had also highlighted this after his Pan Borneo Highway tour.
“The needs of the rakyat must be addressed,” Sui, who is also Sarawak PKR deputy chairman, said in a statement.
Yesterday, Kuching hosted the national-level Malaysia Day grand celebrations at Stadium Perpaduan Kuching.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and cabinet members were among those present.
September 16, 1963 marks the day that Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore came together to form Malaysia.
Singapore left three years later but the other three partners in Malaysia continue to move forward together. – The Vibes, September 17, 2023
