THE people of Sarawak need to make the right choice in the 12th state elections to ensure good relations between the state and federal governments, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

Ismail said good ties are important to facilitate dealings between the two governments, especially in carrying out development for Sarawak residents.

Taking the example of the RM12.6 million Second Sungai Yong Bridge, Ismail said it would not be implemented if the two governments had a different focus.

“But the people of Sarawak made the right choice by voting for the same state government in the 11th state elections.

“And I am more at ease and it also makes by my job easier as Abang Jo (Abang Johari Openg) is my friend.

“As such, I hope the people would not make the wrong choice, for many more projects that need to be approved may not be implemented if the state administration is different from the central government,” he said at a meet-the-people session at Kapit Town Square in Kapit today.

The prime minister said as the state elections draw closer, many baseless statements would be hurled, including allegations that the federal government is not focusing on Sarawak’s development.

Putrajaya had implemented various development projects in Sarawak including the construction of the Kanowit-Song-Kapit road costing RM750 million, Ismail said.

In Kapit alone, he said the central government has allocated RM53 million under Budget 2022 for the construction of the Bukit Jayung road to the junction of Datar Kakus road in Belaga and RM40 million to build the main divider substation and power lines at Nanga Merit.

The federal government, he said also spent RM30 million to implement the rural water supply project in Nanga Mujong as well as RM4.89 million to build a Community Development Department nursery centre in Rumah Jampuk.

Meanwhile, under phase 1 of the National Digital Network Plan, the prime minister said Putrajaya is allocating RM4.09 billion to build 823 new towers and upgrading 3,012 transmitter stations and to lay fibre-optic cables at 73,588 premises throughout Sarawak.

“We are targeting to equip all areas with internet access, to facilitate various activities including virtual learning for children by the end of 2022,” said Ismail.

This, he said, proves that the federal government is fully committed to developing Sarawak.

At the same function, the prime minister also approved an allocation of RM20 million and RM5 million to build an alternative road from Kapit Airport to the Kapit State Administration Complex building as well as a haemodialysis centre in Kapit Hospital.

He also announced that they are in the midst of acquiring land to enable the construction of a Mara Professional College, costing RM97 million, in Kapit. – Bernama, December 4, 2021.