Ahmad Zahid (left) in a group photo with Uggah (second left), Dr Sim (third left), and Rubiah (right) prior to chairing the KKDW Development Project Implementation Briefing Session.

KUCHING (Nov 3): Development projects under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) that have been delayed in Sarawak from 2016 to 2022 will be given priority for immediate implementation, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this involved a total of 24 projects valued at approximately RM1.4 billion.

“We will start these delayed projects before the launch of the 13th Malaysia Plan. There is no point in implementing new projects if the old ones are still not being implemented or have yet to start.

“What we have decided is that the stakeholders must be given priority, especially between Pan Borneo and certain smaller towns or cities that need accessibility to facilitate connectivity,” he told a press conference after chairing the KKDW Development Project Implementation Briefing Session at a leading hotel here today.

Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian as well as Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang.

The briefing session was held to obtain the latest overview of the performance of KKDW’s development projects by implementing agencies such as rural road projects, rural bridges, rural water supply and rural electricity supply.

Four implementing agencies of KKDW development programmes or projects in Sarawak participated in the briefing namely the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and KKDW’s Technical Division.

Ahmad Zahid said the implementation of the delayed projects will also involve the Jiwa Murni projects, particularly the upgrading of logging roads.

“We have allocated around RM85 million, and this is expected to be completed within this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, KKDW in a news release said that this year, a total of RM713,163,470 have been allocated under the development of Rolling Plan 4 of the 12th Malaysia Plan with 292 projects involving 70 new projects and 222 extension projects.

The ministry also said that the performance of project implementation up till Oct 21, 2024, had recorded 195 pre-implementation projects, 69 projects which are under implementation and 26 post-implementation projects.