Chong: MoF confirms RM100 mln promised by Anwar already channelled to Sarawak JKR

KUCHING (July 23): The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has confirmed that the RM100 million that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised during the recent state-level Gawai celebration has been channelled to the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), said Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen.

The funds are for the repair of dilapidated schools and upgrade of dilapidated clinics in Sarawak, at RM50 million each, the Stampin MP said in a statement today.

“Instead of taking to the press like what was done by SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party), I made direct enquiry with the MoF on the disbursement of the funds and, last week, spoke in Parliament on the matter.

“Finally, the MoF has confirmed that the funds have been paid into the account of state JKR, who will be the implementation agency,” he said.

Chong said as there are procedures involved in the disbursement of federal funds to state agencies, it would take some time to carry out such a process after the announcement by the Prime Minister.

“I am glad that the funds were disbursed within one month from the date of the PM’s announcement,” he added.

Given that the federal government has since last year devolved the authority for the implementation of projects at RM50 million or below to the state JKR, he said it was now in the hands of the agency implement repair and upgrading works on the identified schools and clinics.

“As such, I urge the state JKR to quickly implement the projects. In the spirit of transparency, I would also urge the state JKR to make public the details of the projects identified.”

Chong said this included disclosing the names of the schools and clinics for the repair and upgrading work; specific estimated costs for the respective schools and clinics; scope of work involved for each respective school and clinic involved; and the procurement of equipment involved.

He said DAP Sarawak will continue to play its role as part of the federal government to fight for the interest of Sarawak and Sarawakians.

“We will try our best to facilitate between the federal government and the state agencies to ensure a smooth implementation of federal projects in Sarawak,” he said.