KUCHING: The state has set aside 76 percent or RM9.073 billion of its total 2019 budget of RM10.391billion in its bid to intensify economic activities and bring more progress to the people.
Describing the budget as “development-biased and rural- focused”, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, when presenting the State Budget Proposal 2019, said rural development would take up RM6.049 billion.
Johari said the provision of RM6.049 billion would ensure infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and jetties would improve connectivity.
He said the provision included providing funds for walkabout projects (RM1.535 billion), Rural Transformation Projects (RM500 million), Minor Rural Projects (RM243 million) and improved housing for the poor (RM72 million).
“These development programmes will definitely open up larger areas and create more jobs and business opportunities, hence ensuring the state economy to become more vibrant and resilient which eventually would bring economic prosperity to all Sarawakians,” said the Chief Minister.
He said the state’s focus was a development objective that sought to create greater opportunities in the rural and more remote areas “for the economic prosperity of our rural community”.
