malaysiang
KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s (KKDW) 24 delayed projects in Sarawak, initially scheduled for completion between 2016 and 2022, are set to be finished before the launch of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, stated that RM1.4 billion is required to carry out these projects, most of which are in rural areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid mentioned that additional funds are being finalized due to rising construction costs and material prices. A meeting involving ministries and central agencies is scheduled in two weeks in Kuala Lumpur to address these financial adjustments. Furthermore, land acquisition issues will be managed by the state government through its designated agency, which has already allocated funds for this purpose. These details were shared by Ahmad Zahid during a press conference after a briefing on Sarawak’s de
velopment projects.
Ahmad Zahid highlighted the Village Link Road (JPD) project as a priority, emphasizing the need to expedite it to improve access for residents in small towns and certain cities to main roads and the Pan Borneo Highway. Additionally, the federal government has allocated RM85 million for upgrading logging roads in the state, with completion expected this year.
The briefing also included updates on various KKDW development projects managed by state agencies such as the Rural Roads (JALB), Rural Bridges (JMLB), Rural Water Supply (BALB), and Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) projects. Four implementing agencies, including the state Public Works Department (JKR), the state Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), the state Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and the Technical Division of KKDW, provided briefings during the session.
Meanwhile, KKDW, in a statement, revealed that RM713.16 million has been allocated for the development of the 4th Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (
12MP) for this year. This funding covers 292 projects, which include 70 new initiatives and 222 extensions. As of October 21, project implementation performance includes 195 pre-implementation projects, 69 projects currently under implementation, and 26 post-implementation projects.
