THE federal government should allocate more development funds for Sarawak during the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
In making this call yesterday, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (BN-Bukit Kota) also hoped for a fair distribution of funds across the state.
“The fairness I’m talking about isn’t on equal distribution but based on needs and urgency. The rural areas are in dire need of development.
“We need more federal allocations for rural development to build and improve roads and bridges,” he said when debating the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri’s address.
Dr Rahman said he supported Alan Ling (DAP-Piasau)’s call on Friday for a review on rural air services fares.
“I agree with Piasau not on his proposal regarding the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) but on the need to review MASwings airfares.”
The BN backbencher wondered how a 30-minute flight from Limbang to Miri cost more than a 90-minute flight from Miri to Kuala Lumpur.
“We must address this issue. Perhaps, the state government can offer subsidies for rural air services. In addition, rural airfares should be exempted from GST.”
On Ling’s appeal to the chief minister to appoint an opposition leader to head the PAC, Dr Rahman asked whether Ling was insinuating that Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong) was incapable of discharging his duties as a member of the committee.
“Or is Piasau putting up a political stunt?”