KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government under the leadership of Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg has prioritised narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas in the state.
Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the government's focus includes improving infrastructure, access to healthcare, providing education and income opportunities, as well as expanding internet and digital services to rural communities.
"This commitment is clearly reflected and manifested in the state’s budgets for 2023 and 2024.
"Under the Budget 2023, 60 per cent or RM4.54 billion of development expenditure was allocated for rural development. This was increased to 63 per cent or RM5.695 billion in Budget 2024.
"Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, RM44.28 billion was approved for rural infrastructure including roads and bridges.
"In addition, a sum of RM1.64 billion has also been approved for the rural transformation programmes," he said in his Gawai Dayak 2024 message on Friday.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah added that the Premier of Sarawak has also established nine regional development agencies to ensure the effective and coordinated development of each respective areas.
The list of agencies includes the Northern Regional Development Agency (NRDA), Highland Development Agency (HDA), Ulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA), Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), Mid Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA), and Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA).
“Their objectives are essentially to bring in the much-required rural infrastructures and socio-economic programmes and to speed up their implementation.
“Each agency is allocated an unprecedented budget of RM1.5 billion to carry out their respective tasks,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bukit Saban Assemblyman hoped that the Dayak community would show a deep appreciation for the GPS Government's rural-biased development policy.
He explained that the unity of the people has been the driving force behind the political stability, progress, and economic development that Sarawak enjoys today.
"In this festive season, let us celebrate the unity, harmony and cooperation that exists among us all, in line with our slogan 'Segulai Sejalai'," he said. -UKASnews
