THE Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry has proposed a project for RM60 million to upgrade and maintain current facilities for all sports facilities in Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Its minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu stated that the RM60 million would be divided over five years (2021-2025) and would be used to upgrade all sports facilities, including those in Bintangor.
“This will assist in the upgrading, refurbishing and development of sports in the respective areas,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing (GPS-Meradong) on the upgrading plan for the existing facility in Bintangor Sports Complex during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Rentap stated that the ministry will resubmit the proposal for approval during the Mid-Term Review, in accordance with the proposal under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“The ministry is concerned with providing the public with safe, conducive and standard facilities,” he said.
On another note, he thanked four Sarikei athletes for their efforts at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi.
“I’d want to acknowledge the contribution of Jackie Wong Siew Cheer, a Sarikei athlete who won the gold medal for hammer throw in the men’s category as well as Grace Wong Xiu Mei in the women’s category at the Hanoi SEA Games.
“Queenie Ting Kung Ni earned a silver medal for women’s discus throw, breaking a new national record,” he said.
Jonah Chang Rigan, another athlete, also smashed the national record for men’s Under 20 (U20) shot put throw and qualified for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia this August.
“In keeping with the ministry’s vision of Sarawak as a sports powerhouse by 2030, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government and us are dedicated to creating and preserving our facilities to produce champions,” he pointed out.
Answering the supplementary question from Ding on the sports facility plan and allocation for Meradong, Rentap said that the ministry has submitted a proposal for the construction of the Swimming Pool Complex in Meradong.
“It has been approved under the People’s Project (Projek Rakyat), with a budget of RM8.5 million.
“At this time, the granted sum will be used for land acquisition, consulting expenses and external works (road and river diversion).
“We’re also requesting RM13.9 million for the building and budget for construction, piling and other equipment,” he added.
