SARATOK: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will ensure that no communities are left behind in Sarawak, especially those in rural areas, by coordinating efforts to connect longhouses and traditional villages to the state’s expanding road network.
Deputy Prime Minister and KKDW Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said while the Sarawak Government has built the coastal road, which plays a crucial role in linking the coastal settlements to the Pan Borneo Highway, the ministry also holds the responsibility of connecting roads to longhouses and traditional longhouses.
“Therefore, this is one of the key tasks of the Monitoring and Coordination Committee to ensure that we do not faced what is often referred to as the ‘denial syndrome’ by various parties.
“In the interest of the people, it is only right that we coordinate these efforts effectively,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after attending the ground-breaking ceremony for the Kampung Kupang-Jalan Bajau junction road project at Rumah Rengan, Selambong, here today.
Zahid earlier said that the committee, chaired by Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang, was established to streamline project implementation in Sarawak, particularly those facing delays due to land matters or technical issues.
He added that the coordination with state agencies is essential as Sarawak has several state-level agencies managing development directly.
“At KKDW, we give full backing to support project implementation, especially those valued below RM50 million.
“This aligns with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to allow state governments to carry out projects under this value,” he said.
Zahid also said the ministry will look into several scopes of work that currently fall under the purview of the Sarawak Government.
“Although we face constraints in changing those scopes at present, it is not impossible that in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), we may be able to discuss joint implementation between the Sarawak and federal governments,” he said.
