Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian
KUCHING: The septic tank replacement projects for PPR Taman Sri Wangi and RPR Tondong in Kuching as well as RPR Sibujaya in Sibu have been cancelled by the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
The cancellation of the three projects, costing about RM2 million was announced by the Pakatan Harapan government via a letter dated Sept 24, signed on behalf by the divisional secretary of the Ministry, Noreha Muslim.
The letter, which was sighted by Borneo Post Online, was issued by the ministry to inform their Sarawak counterpart following an earlier email dated July 16 from Ahmad Fadzlan Mustapha.
The letter also informed that the Ministry have approved the three projects at an allocation of more than RM2 million (RM2,043,950.86) for this year.
However, the projects were scrapped due to a new directive issued by Ministry of Finance Malaysia on July 16 that instructed every project that have not been issued with Surat Setuju Terima (SST) be cancelled.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, when contacted, revealed that the cancelled projects would be financed by Sarawak government.
“The septic tank replacement project at RPR Tondong – which funding was cancelled by federal government recently – is awarded to a new contractor through an open tender by Sarawak Housing Corporation through Sarawak government fund,” he said.
Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) president, is perplexed that Pakatan Harapan Sarawak leaders who are in the federal cabinet did not know what is happening.
“(Deputy Domestic Trade and Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister) Chong Chieng Jen kept asking for evidence. He is federal minister,” Dr Sim said.
When asked for the list of the cancelled projects and their value, Dr Sim said it is for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to reveal the list.
“We were asked to submit all (to chief minister),” he added.
Dr Sim believed that there are many more projects such as projects from KPKT on local councils and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) that are cancelled by the federal government, noting that the letter on the cancellation of septic tank replacement projects was only from KPKT on housing.
Dr Sim reminded Pakatan Harapan government on its’ responsibilities to Sarawak people under the Ninth schedule of Federal Constitution.
“We have to look for alternative funding to solve the Rakyat woes. Federal government under Pakatan Harapan ought to be reminded of their responsibilities to the people of Sarawak on the Federal government responsibility to us under ninth schedule of Federal Constitution,” he stressed.