KUCHING: Autonomy granted to Sarawak and Sabah for development projects under RM50 million will have a positive outcome for the state.
In supporting the ambitious ‘decentralisation policy’ by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) said it will enhance, improve and speed up development programmes in Sarawak.
“This is undoubtedly and absolutely a courageous move,” it said in a statement.
Secretary general Libat Langub said the devolution of power and authority to the state government will result in maximum and speedy local participation in the projects.
As the Sarawak government is closer to the people and understands the development issues affecting the state than the federal government, Libat noted that such a move reduces time wastage in terms of communicating with Putrajaya.
“It will obviously cut through the present bureaucratic red tape at the federal level, which has hampered or caused considerable delay in the overall development agenda of the state.
“It will help to resolve and remedy the present infrastructural issues and woes in Sarawak to a great extent, affecting mainly the rural areas in terms of electricity, clean waters, telecommunication, internet connectivity and good roads.
“We hope the state government has the capacity, capability, and political will to implement many development projects, given the full autonomy for development projects under RM50 million, efficiently and swiftly, thus bringing enormous socio-economic benefits to the people of Sarawak,” he said.
