KUCHING: With the collection of the five per cent sales tax on exported petroleum products, it is believed the revenue will be used to carry out more road and drainage-related infrastructure in Sarawak.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said it is hoped that more allocation will be given to MPP so that he could carry out flood mitigation projects to solve flash flood problems within his jurisdiction.
“I hope the state government will allocate more funds this year, because our main priority in MPP, and for my constituency in Batu Kitang, is to solve the flash flood problems,” he told reporters at his Chinese New Year open house on Wednesday.
He added that most flash floods were due to blockage and small drainage, and thus needed to be upgraded immediately.
“It is very sad to say that the federal government have cut off the funding of RM250 million for flood mitigation projects in Sarawak,” he said.
Lo said when the allocation from the federal government was not enough, it made it difficult for them to carry out works to upgrade drainages.
“But I have given up on them, and will not hope so much from them to give us the budget. There is no more allocation for grass-cutting services, what more to say if we wait for them to allocate funds for road and drainage projects here,” he stressed.
He added that last year under the state budget, a total of 270 projects with an estimated cost of RM22 million have been carried by MPP, and he hopes to accomplish more projects this year.
“Therefore, I urge the people in Sarawak to continue giving their support to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who has the power to continue in regaining Sarawak’s rights in oil and gas.
“I believe Abang Johari can impose a higher sales tax on petroleum products from five to 100 per cent, and with this revenue we can implement better infrastructure in Sarawak so that we can be on par with Peninsular Malaysia,” he pointed out.
