By Goh Pei Pei & Gabriel Lihan
KUCHING: The federal government has announced an allocation of RM1 billion to strengthen border security in Sarawak and upgrade roads in the surrounding areas.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this would ensure the safety and security of the state, following Indonesia’s decision to shift its capital to Nusantara.
“The money will be used to provide better roads as well as boost border security, where it involves the police, army and immigration personnel,” he said, adding all related works must start immediately.
With the additional allocation, he hoped that it could soon facilitate a greater movement of people and cargo between the two regions.
Anwar was speaking at a press conference after chairing the high-level Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation action committee meeting at the state legislative assembly (DUN) complex today (Jan 20).
Apart from that, the prime minister agreed to return all state lands, which have been alienated for federal use but no longer being utilised.
He said since the 1970s, the federal government through the education and health departments, had acquired state lands at low prices to implement various projects, including building schools.
However, some projects were delayed while others could not proceed due to various reasons; for instance, some locations are not suitable for schools, he said.
“So, I have decided to give a three-month period to the relevant (federal) authorities or departments, to confirm how they want to utilise these lands.
Otherwise, we will return (sell back) to Sarawak at the original price(that the federal acquired back then,” he added.
