KUCHING: Government-funded projects in Sarawak will not be affected by the federal government’s austerity drive, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said a lot of implemented projects come under state finances and thus will not be affected by the policy.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Mile 6 flyover, Kuching-Serian Pan Borneo Highway Project, here today (July 18).
As for ‘sick’ projects, Uggah disclosed that the five roundabouts in Kota Samarahan are among these and that he will disclose a list of such projects at a later date.
He assured that the Ministry would look into sick and projects which have not started due to certain issues.
On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said that the federal government was taking measures to save public expenditure by postponing or not continuing any project that has yet to commence, to enable money to be channelled for the welfare of the people, apart from efforts towards the country’s economic recovery.
Mustapa said the move was in response to a directive issued via the Malaysia Treasury Circular-Guidelines on Public Expenditure Savings.
In another development, on the temporary freeze on Indonesian workers, Uggah pointed out that the issue does not affect the Pan Borneo Highway project.
“This is a national issue. Therefore the relevant ministry is looking at how to solve the issue as it not only affects the construction industry but also affects the plantation industry and so on,” he said.
