KUCHING: “While everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and my Ministry and I certainly welcome opinions and suggestions especially if the suggestions and comments are constructive in nature,” said Deputy Chief Minister
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing in response to Domestic, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen who had earlier said URDA ‘reeks of cronyism’.
Masing said Chong’s opinion was unfounded, ‘speculative’ and therefore irresponsible.
“Based on timeline, URDA was set up in April 2017 and a special lab was held in February with the report submitted to RECODA in March 2018. Further discussions were carried out in July. The proposed identified projects were only finalised in August last month. Prioritisation of projects according to needs is still being carried out today, in consultation with the respective state assemblymen.
“This is to ensure that correct urgency is accorded to projects that could give URDA the best return potential in aspect of development, connectivity, growth potential and socio-economic benefits to the community. Because of the prioritisation exercise, URDA has not confirmed nor appointed only three consultants like what YB Chong speculated,” said Masing.
“YB Chong also knows that nothing is confirmed. That is why he uses the word ’intends to’. While he is speculating and playing his guessing game, he has no qualms in giving a false impression to the public by using strong negative description like ‘reeks of cronyism’. His formula is simple. Speculate on what URDA did not do, make it sound like we did and give us a bad name.”
Masing said it is important to note that although there are many sizeable consultants in Sarawak, it is crucial that URDA select only suitable consultants for URDA projects.
He added that as a big chunk of URDA is located in the rural areas, consultants to be appointed must have proven track records. The consultants must know the rural conditions, community needs and local lifestyle to be able to propose projects that are practical and these cannot be achieved just based on few interviews with the local communities. The consultants therefore must have prior experience in proposing, monitoring and handling projects in rural areas before. Consultants who fare well in urban areas may not necessary be ideal for rural areas.
“There may be a lot of consultants who are academically qualified, but are not practical in dealing with rural conditions. Results? Failures! As a result, URDA and its officers in charge need to be selective, or else we will end up with a lot of proposals and plans that do not work. That will be a waste of public funds,” he explained.
He added that the suggestion that civil engineering firms be awarded jobs as URDA consultant because their business is affected due to economic downturn is an impractical one.
“While the government would like to save the firms that YB Chong was referring to, we cannot do so at the expense of URDA, tax payers’ money and betray the trust of the rural communities who have been waiting and looking forward to development in the Upper Rajang areas.
Masing is presently accompanying the Chief Minister in a London visit and was briefed by the owner of Bailey bridge company (steel bridge maker) in London and has a meeting with Sarawak students studying in London.
