KUCHING – The Gabungan Parti Sarawak government has been urged to direct more financial resources towards people and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and prevailing floods.
“To begin with, there is an urgent need to continue the suspension of utility bills, and the loan moratorium. And, more aid packages and financial assistance must be provided at this critical juncture,” said Parti Sarawak Baru president Wong Soon Koh.
He said the state government ought to be keenly aware that the pandemic has caused hardship to Sarawakians in terms of its impact on the economy.
“In effect, the economic fallout from Covid-19 goes beyond business losses and unemployment numbers. Even those who manage to keep their jobs have suffered significant pay cuts.
“This could lead to a vicious cycle, where income loss reduces consumption, and the affected businesses further reduce labour demand. The human and social effects of unemployment and under-employment are no less debilitating.”
He said it is unfortunate that the economic slowdown has been compounded by severe flooding.
“The last few days have seen varying degrees of heavy flooding, made worse by the king tide phenomenon throughout Sarawak. Whether due to the incessant rain, poor drainage and/or high tidal conditions, it is clear that the serious situation has added to the economic woes of the people as a whole.”
In such times, he said, the people will look to leaders to organise, mobilise, and save lives and livelihoods.
He said countries worldwide are introducing aid packages and financial assistance worth billions, or even trillions, of dollars.
“It is imperative for the state government to now prioritise or reprioritise development projects and programmes. Instead of mega and glamorous projects such as the LRT/ART, hydrogen plants and hydrogen buses that do not benefit the vast majority of Sarawakians, the government must give priority to programmes in the pipeline, but the budget is not forthcoming.”
Wong pointed out that state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Datuk Chok Moi Soon had said the department was seeking RM1.8 billion to build the Kuching bypass channel and other necessary infrastructure to resolve the city’s flood woes.
“For this, we simply cannot wait for funds to come from the federal government under the 12th Malaysia Plan. The funds may not come at all, as the director of DID said the department is merely bidding for funds.
“The state can go ahead doing the projects, and ask for reimbursement from the federal government later. How embarrassing to know that our Kuching General Hospital is subjected to frequent floods, and even the evacuation centres for flood victims are not spared.”
Now, more than ever, it is key to reprioritise, to spend based on current and future urgent needs, he said.
“Funds must be made available to help Sarawakians deal with the pressing situations we are facing now.” – The Vibes, January 16, 2021
