SATOK assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki welcomes the initiative of Sarawak to provide initial funding for selected federal projects in the state and to be reimbursed later by the federal government.
He stated that such effort is meant to speed up the implementation especially for high impact projects where they will be completed faster and with less bureaucracy and red tape.
“This is a great compromise on the part of the Sarawak government, whereby it has gone above and beyond its financial and constitutional responsibilities to put the interests of the people first, allowing them to enjoy better infrastructure and facilities.
“This is possible due to Sarawak’s financial capabilities. Never in the history of this country has a state government issued a loan to the federal government. It has been the other way around. Sarawak is the first,” he said.
He said this when debating in support of the motion of appreciation for the Head of State’s address during the fifth day of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Friday (May 10).
In light of this, he pointed out that not too long ago, there was a certain Finance Minister who held Sarawakians to ransom over loan repayment to Putrajaya, refusing to upgrade dilapidated schools if Sarawak did not pay the loan in full.
“Today, I can only say, how the tables have turned! Regardless, the matter of education and health are still responsibilities under the federal government along with the projects related to it.
“I hope that the federal government makes good on their promise to reimburse Sarawak for these projects through a fair mechanism and don’t take our kindness for granted.”
