Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing
SIBU: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing questions if the cancellation of development projects in Sarawak by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was politically motivated as they were approved by the Barisan Nasional government before the last general election.
He chided Sarawak PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen for explaining that the projects cancelled were ‘hot air’ projects promised by the then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for which no allocation had been set aside and ‘crony’ projects which were awarded to companies with connection to the state government.
“If there were crony projects then Chong should refer them to MACC, as for the so-called hot air projects PH should examine their merits before dismissing them off hand.”
Tiong said the projects approved were very important to the rural people and some of them were already being implemented while some were waiting for authorisation letters while some other projects had received the authorisation letter.
The Bintulu MP pointed out that the cost of projects approved by the Prime Minister’s Department before the change of government in his constituency last year amounted to RM14.5 million.
He said these were for the building and repairs of rural roads, utilities and community buildings like churches and longhouses.
“Why cancel these projects? They are just minor rural projects, like the re-building of two longhouses which were burnt down. Was this a crony project or a ‘hot air’ project? Chong should explain.”
On the proposed Kemena Bridge, he said it had been approved by the BN government but when PH took over it was scrapped.
Tiong said this project is important to the people living across the river from Bintulu as it would give them faster and easier access to the town and in time of emergency such as when a fire breaks out the fire brigade could reach them faster.
“Isn’t this infrastructure building for the people? Why terminate it? Now, the Sarawak government has to shoulder this responsibility.”
Tiong noted that PH had made it a habit to push responsibilities to others when they failed to serve the people and deliver their election promises.
He said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng recently trumpeted
that the PH government had achieved an RM3.25 billion surplus in its current account in four months.
“But, when it comes to development in Sarawak, they say they lack the fund.”