By Natasha Jee & Alexandra Lorna
KUCHING: The federal government is committed to ensuring its target of having zero hardcore poverty in the country, including in Sarawak, is achieved by the end of 2025.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this will be done through the Keluarga Malaysia Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme (BMTKM) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“The first phase of BMTKM in Sarawak involves four localities in the state namely, Gedong, Kampung Seberang Sebuyau, Kampung Spaoh and Pakan,” he said.
He said this at the closing of the state-level Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia 2022 held at Dataran Perayaan, Petra Jaya today.
In addition to BMTKM, he said a total of 867,967 Keluarga Malaysia or Malaysian families in Sarawak had received benefits through the Malaysian Family Assistance (Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia) initiative which involved an allocation of RM745 million.
“This proves the government’s concern for Keluarga Malaysia in this state,” he added.
Commenting on the RM16.1 billion Pan Borneo Highway Project which was launched in March 2015, Ismail Sabri said it is now at 85 per cent and is expected to be fully completed in the first quarter of next year.
“The government will also continue with Phase 2 of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Project which will connect Miri to Limbang and Lawas without going through Brunei.
“This SSLR Phase 2 project from Simpang Gelugus to Long Lopeng in Lawas, will connect Mulu to Long Merarap over a distance of 326km at a cost of RM7.68 billion,” he said, adding that construction is expected to begin early next year
He said the government also improved the existing road network between Miri to Limbang and Lawas via Brunei under the Trans Borneo Highway Project (LTB), involving upgrading works along 96.351km for a period of three years at a cost of RM2.93 billion.
“This will be a catalyst for local socio-economic development as the Pan Borneo Highway begins to have a positive impact and economic spillover for Malaysian families who trade at the Pasar Tamu Simpang Bekenu,” he said
Ismail Sabri also expressed his confidence that Sarawak’s target to become a developed state by 2030 can be achieved under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
