THE Rural and Regional Development Ministry will finance and implement numerous vital public amenities for the people of the remote Belaga district in central Sarawak, said its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, announced that his ministry will upgrade stretches of roads that link remote settlements to Belaga town, construct a new water treatment plant and build new Kemas centres in Belaga.
“The Belaga roads to be upgraded are those built under the Jiwa Murni project many years ago (constructed by the army when Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein was defence minister).
“These roads will open up the region for smooth travel and connect remote settlements like Punan Bah to Belaga town.
“The new water treatment plant will provide treated water supplies to a large population in longhouses and students in schools.
“The Kemas centres will provide preschool education to the kids to enable more of them to receive early education.
“All these projects will be in the coming budget,” he said during a working visit to Belaga district over the past two days.
The new water treatment plant is expected to cost RM21.4 million, he said.
The costs for the road upgrades and the new Kemas centres are still being worked out.
Zahid said he will personally visit more rural districts in his capacity as rural and regional development minister. – July 2, 2024
