RM1bil for Sabah, S'wak border development, construction underway, says PM

  • last year
The RM1bil allocated to expedite the border development in Sabah and Sarawak has been channeled to the two states, and constructions of the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine Complex (ICQS) as well as security posts have begun, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Tuesday (Oct 10).

When replying to Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (GRS-Keningau)'s question, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim admitted that the government is a little behind in the projects due to some delays comparing to Indonesia is in its border development in Kalimantan, and therefore has asked for them to be fast-tracked.

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Transcript
00:00 I would like to ask the Prime Minister to state whether the government will focus on the allocation of funds which are sufficient to stimulate the development and economic of Sarawak and Sarawak and realize the potential and resources.
00:25 They seem to be increasing the government's tension on the border, considering the move of Indonesian citizens to East Kalimantan. Thank you.
00:42 I'm sorry, I'm not sure if I've answered your question. I'm sorry, I can't answer your question.
00:51 But I'm curious. First, if we look at the RP3 RMK12, which was also reviewed by me and the Ministry of Economy, the development allocation that was approved was Rp31.086 billion.
01:17 Rp16.730 billion for Sabah, Rp14.355 billion for Sarawak.
01:26 The RP3 resolution in 2023 was approved for Sabah, which is Rp56 billion, while the Sarawak resolution is Rp57 billion.
01:40 This is because of the government's commitment to comply with the Malaysia 1963 agreement, which is indeed quite difficult in several areas.
01:51 Therefore, the government is committed to implementing this agreement, the Minister, the leaders and the founders of Malaysia, the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak.
02:05 What are the steps taken? The submission of the power of electric power control to the Sabah government has been carried out.
02:12 The transfer of the Acta of the State Institute of Internal Affairs to await the approval of the Sabah and Sarawak settlement is to be carried out today or tomorrow, with the conditions of the agreement.
02:24 The resumption of special grants for the Sabah and Sarawak states under Article 112G. The provision of special grants for the transfer of land resumed for the purpose of the Sabah and Sarawak settlement.
02:39 The provisions under Article 50G are to be fully controlled by the Sabah and Sarawak. If this goes well, this amount will be increased.
02:55 The purchase of the power of electric power control to the Sabah will be completed by 3 January 2024. The purchase of the SESB after the SESB transformation plan will be completed by the maximum expectation of 2030.
03:16 For the border, as we discussed with President Jokowi Indonesia, because of the speed and speed of the implementation of the project in Indonesia, we have approved a special grant of Rp 1 billion,
03:36 namely the Sabah 8-Border Project with the immediate cost project that has been carried out, Rp 82.2 million and in Sarawak, Rp 88.2 million has also been initiated,
03:53 which will be in consultation with the Sabah and Sarawak states. We have agreed in the ASEAN meeting that the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle and Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East-ASEAN Growth Area have been increased.
04:16 Sarawak has benefited and we have approved the sale of electricity from Sarawak to IKN in the capital city of Nusantara, Kalimantan, Sarawak to Sabah, and now in the final stage,
04:34 we have agreed to move Sarawak to Singapore and to the South East Asia. Two pipelines from Sarawak to Singapore and to the South East Asia have been approved by the Kingdom of Sarawak, Singapore and Malaysia.
04:53 This shows that there is a different approach from the Kingdom of Sarawak to fulfill all the agreements in MA63.
05:08 I understand that the Rp 1 billion that has been announced for the development and construction of the Sabah and Sarawak areas, including the IKUS complex and the highway,
05:28 has not been fully distributed, which has caused the construction to be halted, while in Kalimantan, everything is ready.
05:41 My question is, if and what action should be taken to overcome this situation, and can the government consider the need for other bridges,
06:03 such as the Sarawak-Brunei bridge in Sundu Min, where cross-border trading is taking place and is being monitored, but there is no ease.
06:18 Can the government consider the special project for the high-impact project, which is Rp 15 million, for the construction of the cross-border trading complex in Sundu Min?
06:42 Thank you, Mr. Keringau. Actually, what I mentioned earlier, for the 8 bridges in Sabah and 9 in Sarawak, it has already been started.
06:51 And this transition is only this year. I agree that we are behind Indonesia, which has advanced, the ICQS is better, and the Customs and Immigration Office is better because we are a bit behind.
07:06 But this time, as I said, what is ready has been carried out, and various ministries have been asked to be initiated.
07:16 And now, with the ruling, it is up to the Ministry and the State Government. But I want to emphasize that Rp 1 billion is for 2023, which means the Ministry is directed to be initiated.
07:31 And I have asked Datuk Seri Fadhilah Timbalan, the Deputy Prime Minister, to help to announce, especially for the construction of the Sabah-Sarawak, Pen Bonio, and also Rp 1 billion for the cross-border trading.
07:47 For Sundu Min, it came out of this, but I will give a special mention if there is a letter from Mr. Keringau.
07:55 Thank you.
07:57 [End of Audio]

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