MIRI: Sarawak’s financial stability enables the government to fund and develop more development projects that benefit the people, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to him, having a ‘matured’ financial system helps the state government to allocate funds to various development projects.
“The state government has always taken a risk in approving or carrying out various development projects for the people, despite the fact that they are expensive, because our financial system is stable.
“It’s critical that Sarawak’s politics and economy stay stable in order for the state to achieve high-income status by 2030.
“We need to work hard to develop the state because we only have eight years to accomplish this task,” he said at the Raya-Gawai 2022 event and the launch of Taman Jelita off Taman Tunku Phase 2 Integrated Community Centre (ICC) yesterday.
Abang Johari reaffirmed his commitment to Sarawak, promising that the state would be further developed with a variety of amenities, including the ability to connect to the 5G network.
“That is why it is vital for us to have a strong financial system so that we can provide funds for various development initiatives.
“And if we have a surplus budget, we may be able to provide free education to our own children,” he pointed out.
At the event, Abang Johari also approved seven of the nine development projects for Lambir state constituency, with an estimated cost of RM24 million.
The projects include the RM5 million construction of Taman Jelita off Taman Tunku Phase 3 ICC, new tamu market for Taman Tunku (RM6 million), a mosque for Sri Miri Camp (RM3.5 million), upgrade of St. Bernadette Church at Bekenu Junction (RM2.5 million), multipurpose hall for Miri airport housing areas (RM2 million) as well as reconstruction of 25-door longhouse of Rumah George Sirai as well as 27-door of Rumah Morris.
The construction of Taman Jelita off Taman Tunku Phase 1 ICC, was completed in November 2020 at a cost of RM1 million. It has a multipurpose hall as well as four badminton courts.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said he would get the Public Works Department (JKR) to give him more details on the proposed 60-km dual-carriageway from Lambir to Sepupok.
“InsyaAllah, we will have a dual-carriageway from Lambir to Sepupok within five years,” he said.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni , Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Transport Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, chief political secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Miri Mayor Adam Yii.
