27-05-2025
Dr Sim: Over 7,300 rural transformation projects approved in Sarawak since 2015
Dr Sim arriving at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex this morning.
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.
