THE Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government has utilised 76 per cent of its RM470.4 million allocation under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for development projects carried out by 25 local authorities across Sarawak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said RM359.3 million had been spent as of Oct 31 on key public infrastructure works, including road and drainage upgrades, waterfront beautification, market improvements, installation of street lighting and traffic lights, as well as enhancements to public toilets, libraries, landscaping and rural facilities.
“These projects, carried out by the respective local authorities, were at various stages of implementation,” he said during his winding-up speech in the State Legislative Assembly today.
He said since 2018, a total of 230 Projek Rakyat worth RM862.3 million had been approved for agencies and local authorities across Sarawak, including the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU). Of these, 144 projects had been completed while the remaining 86 were progressing.
Touching on Rural Transformation Projects (RTP), he said between 2015 and 2024, the state government approved 6,984 projects amounting to RM1.17 billion, with 91 per cent (6,353 projects) completed. For 2025, an additional RM122 million was allocated for 858 projects, now in various stages of implementation.
On road maintenance, Dr Sim said the state received RM283.2 million under the Malaysian Road Record Information System (MARRIS) for 2025, of which RM205.6 million had been channelled to local authorities for maintaining council roads, roadside drains and related components.
“Significant investments under Regional Development Agencies (RDA), with RM1.17 billion allocated to 16 local authorities for 184 projects under RECODA, SADA, IRSDA, RADDA, BDDA and GKCDA.
“Local authorities also received RM56.5 million from various federal ministries for 2025, including from the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), the Ministry of Economy and the National Landscape Department,” he said.
Dr Sim also said the ministry was also driving community empowerment initiatives, with RM2 million allocated to support programmes across 24 councils.
“To date, 226 programmes have been approved, with 201 successfully implemented, aligning with SDG 11 and related Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
He added that the annual SMART Community Award would continue to recognise outstanding community efforts in sustainability, innovation and environmental stewardship, noting the strong grassroots participation seen this year.
Dr Sim said these collective development efforts reflected the state government’s commitment to strengthen local infrastructure, improve service delivery and support community-driven progress.
