Zahid: All ‘sick projects' in Sarawak must be fully implemented under 13th M'sia Plan

Borneo Post

5 days ago

Ahmad Zahid (first left) chairing a special meeting on the implementation of development projects in Sarawak with state officials at Sheraton Hotel here. – Photo by Chimon Upon.
KUCHING (May 30): All delayed or problematic federal projects in Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), which are categorised as 'sick projects' , must be fully implemented under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Speaking at a press conference after chairing a two-hour special meeting with Sarawak officials at the Sheraton Hotel today, Zahid said the 403 affected projects, valued at RM21.73 billion, must proceed without delay across all five rolling plans of RMK13.
'Firstly, all allocation issues from RMK12 and even some from RMK11, have been resolved. This includes matters such as land acquisition, which the Sarawak government has agreed to expedite,' he said.
'Secondly, alignment conflicts that required adjustments in implementation have also been settled,' he said.
Of the 403 projects, 178 (44.71 per cent) are still in the 'pre-implementation' phase, with 155 of these approved between 2021 and 2025.
He added that 91 of the projects will be issued the Standard Specification Tender documents by the end of 2025.
'I take seriously the report that there are five delayed projects due to site issues such as permits, land acquisition, and pipeline alignment overlaps.
'Additionally, weather conditions have also contributed to project delays,' he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the resolution of these problems now allows for streamlined implementation under the upcoming national development plan.
He also announced that reconstruction works will begin after Gawai for 14 houses in Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, destroyed by a landslide on Jan 29.
To accelerate delivery, Ahmad Zahid said federal implementation authority will be delegated to Sarawak's state agencies instead of continuing to rely on federal departments like Felcra Berhad and GiatMARA.
In terms of education development, he announced the upcoming opening of the Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) campus in Kota Samarahan, which will welcome its first batch of 200 students in September.
The college is expected to expand its enrollment to 1,000 students by 2028.
'KPTM will serve as a feeder institution for Sarawak-based universities and also channel students to Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) for degree and postgraduate programmes.
'What's important is aligning courses with student interests and workforce needs, to prevent mismatches between what is offered and what is demanded in the job market,' he said.
He also addressed issues affecting 21 KEMAS (Community Development Department) kindergartens and nurseries (tabika and tadika) across Sarawak, noting that some, such as in Sebuyau, have been resolved.
To ensure accountability, Zahid has appointed Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang to monitor the progress of project implementation weekly.
The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) remains committed to accelerating infrastructure development through programmes such as Rural Roads (JALB), Rural Water Supply (BALB), Rural Electricity Supply (BELB), and other community facilities.
'Sarawak, especially its rural areas, deserves the same development priority as any other region in Malaysia,' Zahid added.
Also present were Deputy Minister of KKDW Datuk Rubiah Wang, KKDW Head Secretary Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, and Deputy State Secretary Datu Buckland Bangik. 13th Malaysia Plan ahmad zahid hamidi development education sick projects