Dr Sim: Over 7,300 rural transformation projects approved in Sarawak since 2015
KUCHING (May 27): A total of 7,328 Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) have been approved by the Sarawak government from 2015 to 2025, with an overall allocation of RM1.288 billion for implementation by local authorities, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, stated that 5,588 RTP projects or 76 per cent of the total number have been successfully completed to date.
'For 2025 alone, RM107.67 million has been allocated for 738 RTP projects, which are currently at various phases of implementation,' he added in his ministerial winding up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He also said that under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), his ministry was given a ceiling allocation of RM470.436 million to implement infrastructure projects through 25 local authorities across Sarawak.
As of April 30, 2025, RM297.2 million or 63.1 per cent of the funds have been disbursed.
'The projects include road and drainage improvements, waterfront development, market upgrades, provision of street and traffic lights, public toilets, libraries, beautification of landscapes, and rural amenities, all of which are in various stages of execution,' he said.
Meanwhile he explained that since 2018, a total of 236 projects have been approved under Projek Rakyat, with an allocation of RM849.7 million for various agencies, including the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and Kuching North City Hall (DBKU).
Of these, he said 134 projects have been completed, while 102 are still being implemented.
Additionally, Dr Sim stated that his ministry has received RM283.237 million in 2025 under the Malaysian Road Record Information System (MARRIS) for the maintenance of council roads and related infrastructure such as road furniture, shoulders, and roadside drains.
'As of April 30, RM78.866 million has been disbursed,' he said.
In his speech he also assured elected representatives from Machan, Tebedu and Krian that their requests for road maintenance will be addressed under the MARRIS fund.
Dr Sim also disclosed that 16 local authorities have been allocated a total of RM1.23 billion to implement 189 projects under various regional development agencies.
'These include two projects under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA), nine under the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA), 29 under the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), 29 under the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA), 63 under the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), and 57 under the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA),' he said.
Apart from that, he also added that in the first quarter of 2025, his ministry received RM42.45 million in federal funding to implement additional development projects across Sarawak.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
ASEAN urban growth must balance prosperity with equity, says Fadillah
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has called for equitable urban growth in ASEAN, ensuring prosperity benefits all communities without marginalising the vulnerable. He highlighted that ASEAN's urban areas currently house over 370 million people, contributing 70% of the region's GDP and driving a US$3.8 trillion economy in 2024. By 2050, seven in 10 ASEAN citizens are expected to live in cities, making urban centres pivotal to regional development. 'Prosperity is not evenly shared. We still see gleaming skyscrapers casting shadows over informal settlements, and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity,' he said. Fadillah stressed that as ASEAN aims to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, urbanisation must deliver both growth and fairness. He made these remarks during his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC). Present at the event were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif, and ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto. As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, economic integration, and safeguarding peace and stability in Southeast Asia. Fadillah urged urgent solutions to urban challenges, including housing shortages, mobility bottlenecks, and climate risks like floods and heatwaves. 'Inclusivity means no one is left behind. Women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities must all have a voice in shaping our future cities,' he said. He emphasised the need for accessible transport, affordable housing, and digital connectivity for rural migrants. Fadillah described sustainability as essential for survival, citing threats such as rising sea levels in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and worsening heatwaves. He praised ASEAN innovations like Singapore's green building standards, Indonesia's renewable energy transition, and Brunei's smart water management for aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Local governments were urged to lead ASEAN's transformation with AI-powered urban planning and stronger cross-border networks. 'Your leadership will determine whether our cities become models of equity and environmental harmony, or cautionary tales of unchecked growth,' he said. The three-day forum, themed 'ASEAN Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability,' supports the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and unites the ASEAN Smart Cities Network and ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy. – Bernama
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
No room for anyone to exploit upside-down flag issue, says Sim
GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP has warned against any third party trying to exploit the recent case of a national flag being flown upside down in Kepala Batas. State DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong said the matter has been handed over to the police for investigation and there is no room for anyone to take advantage of the situation. In a statement, Sim said that if anyone tries to threaten or disturb Penang residents over the issue, the party will respond by taking to the streets with the people and distributing the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of unity. "Penang DAP firmly upholds peace and harmony in the state, in line with the spirit of patriotism that we all take pride in," he said. Sim's statement follows remarks by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who said he would hold a "class" for a hardware store owner if the latter was not charged by Thursday. "The way forward is through the collective determination of every Malaysian, regardless of race or religion, to preserve unity, strengthen harmony, and nurture love for our beloved homeland, Malaysia," he added. Earlier today, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged Akmal to stop issuing threats to "personally educate" a shop owner over an improperly hoisted national flag. In a Facebook post, Wee had said he feared such public intimidation would only backfire and make Malaysians "think twice" about proudly displaying the Jalur Gemilang. Yesterday, police had said the hardware store owner, who was detained for allegedly displaying the Jalur Gemilang upside down in front of his premises in Kepala Batas, had been released on police bail. A total of 16 police reports had been lodged nationwide, with 12 of them in Penang and four in other states.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Penang DAP: No room for third party to exploit upside-down flag issue
GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP today issued a stern warning against anyone attempting to exploit the recent case involving the national flag being hoisted upside down in Kepala Batas. Without naming anyone, state DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong stressed that there is no room for any third party to take advantage of the incident. He said Penang DAP would take to the ground to stand with the people if anyone attempted to threaten or disturb them over the matter. "Penang DAP firmly upholds peace and harmony in the state, in line with the spirit of patriotism that we all take pride in. "The upside-down flag issue in Kepala Batas has been fully handed over to the police to investigate and handle according to the law. "There is no room for any third party to take advantage of or stir up the situation. "If anyone attempts to threaten or disturb the people of Penang over this matter, Penang DAP will take to the ground, stand with the people, and respond to provocations by distributing the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of unity and love for the country," he said in a statement. Although Sim did not name anyone, his statement came on the heels of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's remarks yesterday that he would hold a "class" for a hardware store owner in Penang if the latter was not charged by Thursday. "The way forward is through the collective determination of every Malaysian, regardless of race or religion, to preserve unity, strengthen harmony, and nurture love for our beloved homeland, Malaysia," he added. Earlier today, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged Akmal to stop issuing threats to "personally educate" a shop owner over an improperly hoisted national flag. In a Facebook post, Wee had said he feared such public intimidation would only backfire and make Malaysians "think twice" about proudly displaying the Jalur Gemilang. Yesterday, police had said the hardware store owner, who was detained for allegedly displaying the Jalur Gemilang upside down in front of his premises in Kepala Batas, had been released on police bail.
