SARIKEI: The state government will be spending 60 per cent of its RM12 billion 2019 budget or RM7.2 billion for rural development with major emphasis on infrastructure.
Speaking at the Jalan Pesisir ground breaking ceremony today, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the government had to spend big as it wanted to upgrade the living standard of the rural populace.
“Sarawak has a total population of 2.8 million people of which 1.9 million are staying in the rural area. We will be spending 60 per cent of the state budget as the late Adenan (former chief minister) had once said that the rural people have limited income. We thus need to raise their income through infrastructure development of roads and bridges,” he said.
He added that with better communication, the rural populace would be able to get involve in modern economic type of development instead of relying on their traditional ways of doing things.
“As long as GPS is in power, we can do it as we cannot rely on the federal government as they have cancelled several of our projects.
“Last year, I said we will be building this road (Jalan Pesisir) to connect to Tanjung Manis. I have fulfilled what I have promised,” he said to the applause of more than 5,000 people present at the ceremony.
Johari said the government had last year built 300 communication towers and another 300 have been slated for this year. These towers are not only for the urban but also for the rural areas as with better communication, only then can the rural populace uplift their living standards.
Taking the example of the 17km Jalan Pesisir, he said the completion would result in the opening up of land for agricultural, aquaculture and shipbuilding activities.
The whole package which also involves the construction of 1.2km Batang Rajang Bridge cost RM321 million.
The project is expected to benefit more than 50,000 people of Sarikei, Bintangor, Igan, Daro, Kuala Rajang, Belawai and Tanjung Manis.
“Presently the people here have to go down to Sibu first before proceeding to Tanjung Manis, a journey of two and half hours. But with this project, you can go to Tanjung Manis direct in about 45 minutes,” he added.
Among those present were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Coastal Road Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and Repok assemblyman Datuk Sri Huang Tiong Sii.
