THE Sarawak Legislative Assembly today passed the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025, officially repealing the ordinance that created the fund in 1985.
With the Bill’s approval, the remaining balance of more than RM52 million held in the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) will be fully transferred to the State Consolidated Fund, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“The dissolution of this fund will not affect our state’s infrastructure development plans,” Uggah assured, in his winding-up speech during the DUN sitting.
He assured Sarawak’s infrastructure agenda remains robust, with major projects, including roadworks, people-centric developments, and initiatives under the Public Works Department (JKR), valued at over RM30 billion, will continue as planned.
Uggah, who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said the trust fund had served its original purpose in the 1980s when it was established to help developers finance basic infrastructure such as access roads, water supply, and electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
“However, the economic landscape has evolved. Today, developers are financially stronger and can secure their own financing, while the state government has significantly enhanced its fiscal capacity,” he said.
As a result, the Sarawak Cabinet earlier resolved to dissolve the fund, deeming it no longer aligned with current and future development strategies.
The Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025 comprises seven clauses, detailing the dissolution process, the transfer of the fund’s remaining balance to the State Consolidated Fund, and the formal repeal of the 1985 Ordinance.
It also includes provisions for the settlement of any outstanding administrative expenses and adjustments required during implementation.
A total of eight assemblymen participated in the debate before the Bill was passed.
