KUCHING: The Sarawak Budget 2021 is sensitive to the current Covid-19 situation yet also able to focus on the goal to be a developed state by 2030, says Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) Kuching Branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok.
He mentioned that the extension of the seven measures under the Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid (BKSS) 4.0 involving a sum of RM104.84mil, was commendable to assist those in need, especially the self-employed and B40 groups.
“The government is also fair to all by maintaining the discounts in the electricity and water usage charges,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 10).
Sim further said that the infrastructure bias development budget was to ensure that public investments would be the main thrust to keep the economy going in view of the unprecedented pandemic.
“This is good for Sarawak that we are planning and acting now for the future of the state. The rural bias infrastructure development is good as it will open more opportunities for further growth and positive spin-off to our economy.”
He hoped that the state government would extend the end financing for affordable housing and longhouses to private developers too, to assist them in house-buying deals.
“I also would repeat our hope that the state government would be encouraged to set up several state-owned commercial banks to finance the private sectors here to complement our mission to achieve our vision of a developed state by 2030.
“Sarawak commercial banks that set their priority for Sarawak investments, development and commerce activities, will help to accelerate to achieve our goal instead of having to go back to Kuala Lumpur bank headquarters for all approval of loans.”
Sim also commended the Kuching City Plan study, which would help Kuching to be developed in a more systematic manner. Subsequently, the plan would open up more efficiency in Kuching’s planning process and set the way forward for other cities.
The state government is undertaking the Kuching City Local Plan 2030 Study that will provide an overall physical land use development direction through zoning plan and use-class order as a guide for a holistic and sustainable urban development for the city. A sum of RM2mil will be allocated next year for this purpose.
