We don’t want to be seen relevant only for the elections and be left behind after that. - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
SIBU: Local BN leaders are banking on hope that Sarawak will be given a bigger share of the pie in the forthcoming Budget 2014 to speed up infrastructure development in rural areas.
PRS vice president Datuk Mong Dagang for one said yesterday a bigger allocation would go a long way not only towards strengthening infrastructure facilities and connectivity in rural areas but improving and providing clean water supply as well as electricity connection to longhouses in these places.
“Of particular importance is upgrading of schools, which in many cases are in dilapidated conditions. Of course, all of us expect substantial amount to be allocated for upgrading of the Pan Borneo Trunk Road,” said Mong, who is Agriculture (Research and Marketing) Assistant Minister and Bukit Begunan assemblyman.
He was asked if the state would be given bigger allocation in the national budget given its sterling performance in the recent general election.
PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak being a big state and with much basic infrastructure still not in place yet, expressed fervent hope that the Prime Minister and Federal Government could expedite development in these areas.
He added this was more so as the rural areas of Sarawak had been instrumental in the very existence of the BN government in Malaysia and must not be overlooked.
The state, he pointed out, still lagged behind in so many quarters.
“Our roads, provision of clean water, electricity, telecommunications and other basic needs still need to be provided or improved. We don’t want to be seen relevant only for the elections and be left behind after that.
“Just like other Sarawakians, I really hope that the forthcoming budget provide for a bigger allocation to Sarawak,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, opined.
That aside, he hoped that whatever allocation to improve skills and human development, whether it is in housing, training, schools, women development or in entrepreneurship, would not just be focused and concentrated in Peninsula.
“We know most high position in ministries and departments are held by West Malaysians and it is these officers who finally determine where and how budget to the respective states are channelled or utilised.
“Some ‘delay’ the implementation resulting in projects and promises already committed to the people, still waiting to be implemented or completed,” he said.
On the same wavelength, SPDP deputy secretary-general Paul Igai said they should expect higher allocation for infrastructural development and security.
He based this on the need to beef up police personnel, upgrade stations and set up in some new areas in need of one.
“Border security be upgraded too and also the local business community need some booster or stimulus,” he said in expressing his thoughts.
Meanwhile, SUPP Sibu branch vice chairman Daniel Ngieng concurred with the call for adequate allocation for infrastructure improvement, especially travel improvement as some rural areas are not accessible by road.
Ngieng, who is Sibu Municipal Council’s deputy chairman, however, was quick to point out the importance of taking into consideration the revenue base.
He stressed this was to prevent heavy borrowings to finance the expenditure as seen in some European countries.
“The government introducing the GST is timely and a step in the right direction to broaden the revenue base which is healthier for the nation,” expounded Ngieng, who holds a double major in Economics and Accounting.
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