Julaihi: RM110 mln needed for fifth phase of Alaf

KUCHING (Oct 1): The Sarawak government requires a total of RM110 million to implement the fifth phase of Additional Late Applicant Fund (Alaf) initiative, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi.

The Utility and Telecommunication Minister said the government has allocated a sum of RM315 million for the fourth phase of the project, which is currently being implemented.

“Only after the fourth phase is completed can we transition to the fifth phase. We need additional funding, so I hope the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) can provide direct grants to the Sarawak government through my ministry to enable us to carry out the fifth phase, as many are still waiting in this phase,” he said.

He was met by reporters after officiating the handover ceremony for Phase 2 of the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares) here yesterday.

Present was Deputy Rural Development and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang.

Julaihi said that while the budget for the fifth phase of the Alaf initiative is RM110 million, any additional funding from KKDW would be greatly appreciated.

On the challenges in implementing the initiative, he said the state is in need of more skilled workers in the field.

“Each contractor must have their own team. So if possible, we should have at least two contractors, and subsequently have two teams in the field.”

In this regard, he expressed hope for his ministry, Sarawak Energy and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) to collaborate in producing more workers to implement the project.