KAPIT – The people of Sarawak need to make the right choice in the 12th state election to maintain the good relations between the state and federal governments, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to him, good ties are important to facilitate dealings between the two governments, especially in implementing developments for Sarawak residents.
Taking the example of the second Sg Yong bridge, costing RM12.6 million and located about 15km from here, Ismail Sabri said it would not have been implemented if the two governments had a different focus.
But the people of Sarawak made the right choice when voting for the same state government in the 11th Sarawak election.
“And, I am more at ease and it also makes my job easier, as Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Jo (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) is my friend. As such, I hope the people will not make the wrong decision, for many more developments that need to be approved may not be implemented if the state administration is different from the central government,” he said when speaking at a People With Leaders session at Kapit Town Square here today.
The prime minister said that as the 12th state election approaches, many baseless statements would be hurled at the administration, including allegations that the federal government does not give attention to the development of Sarawak.
‘Central govt has done much for Sarawak’
The central government, according to him, has implemented various development projects in Sarawak, including the construction of the Kanowit-Song-Kapit road, which cost RM750 million.
In Kapit division alone, according to Ismail Sabri, the central government has allocated RM53 million under Budget 2022 for the construction of the Bukit Jayung road to the junction of Datar Kakus road in Belaga, and RM40 million to build the main divider substation and power lines at Nanga Merit.
The federal government, he said, has also spent RM30 million to implement the rural water supply project in Nanga Mujong, as well as RM4.89 million to build a Community Development Department nursery centre in Rumah Jampuk.
Meanwhile, under Phase 1 of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela), the prime minister said the central government is allocating RM4.09 billion to build 823 new towers, upgrade 3,012 transmitter stations and lay fibre-optic cables at 73,588 premises throughout Sarawak.
“We are targeting all areas including villages in rural areas to achieve internet access to facilitate various activities, including children’s learning, by the end of 2022,” said Ismail Sabri.
This, he said, proves that the federal government gives full attention to development in Sarawak.
At the same function, the prime minister also approved an allocation of RM20 million and RM5 million to build an alternative road from Kapit Airport to the Kapit State Government Complex, as well as a haemodialysis centre in Kapit Hospital.
He also announced that the land acquisition process is being carried out to enable the construction of a Mara Professional College, valued at RM97 million, in Kapit. – Bernama, December 4, 2021
