KUCHING – Sarawak has spent RM1.88 billion as of October this year under the Second Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said.
He said this spending amounted to 51% of the total allocation of RM3.66 billion for the implementation of 953 projects in Sarawak.
“In terms of physical performance, 427 projects are at the pre-implementation stage, 301 at the implementation stage, 215 at the post-implementation stage, nine are under re-evaluation while one is cancelled.
“I would urge all the implementing agencies to hasten the project implementation and ensure all developments are completed within schedule to avoid cost overruns,” he said in his winding-up speech on the state’s 2023 budget at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Meanwhile, Uggah who is also the state’s second finance and new economy minister said Sarawak is expected to gain from the relocation of Indonesia’s new capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan.
He said, in this regard, the state government will pursue closer economic cooperation with the Indonesian government, especially in Kalimantan in various fields.
“Among the major initiatives include the development of the cross-border economy through manufacturing and trade, taking advantage of the natural resources and agricultural produce from Kalimantan that could be utilised for downstream processing activities in Sarawak.
“At the same time, Sarawak has port facilities that provide faster and better shipping linkages to major economies like China and India,” he added.
Uggah said, to facilitate trade and ensure better networking and communication among industry players, investors and business communities in Sarawak and Indonesia, the state government will also establish a Trade and Tourism Office in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, that will have similar functions like the Singapore Tourism and Trade Office of Sarawak. – Bernama, December 1, 2022
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