A TOTAL of 18 companies have been given Manufacturing Licence to operate in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) through investment amount of RM29.4 billion.
Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datuk Julaihi Narawi told the august house this yesterday when responding to a question from Datuk Joseph Mauh Ikeh (BN-Tamin) on local and foreign investments as well as the number of workers in SCORE.
“Out of the 18 companies, eight are foreign with investments amounting to RM17.4 billion while five are local with investments totalling RM5.98 billion and five are joint ventures with investments amounting to RM6.03 billion,” he said.
In addition, Julaihi disclosed that six companies were still negotiating with the state government to invest in SCORE.
“At present, a total of 2,898 foreign workers and 2,814 local workers are employed in the companies investing in the SCORE areas,” he said.
As for the companies operating in Samalaju industrial area, Julaihi said three companies had started their operations.
Meanwhile, Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong highlighted that his ministry has yet to receive approval for the proposals to build flyovers in 15 areas in Kuching to address traffic congestion.
Manyin was responding to a question from Dato Sri Mohammad Ali Mahmud (BN-Muara Tuang)on the government’s plan to ease traffic congestion that had become critical during peak hours, especially at the Kuching-Kota Samarahan dual-carriageway.
“The ministry has identified 15 areas including the roundabouts at Jalan Wan Alwi, Jalan Setia Raja and Jalan Canna. Proposals have been submitted to the federal government for consideration,” he said.
Responding to Ripin Lamat (BN-Lambir) on the development of Miri’s Bakam Point, Assistant Land Development Minister Datuk Gramong Juna revealed the good news that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had just approved an additional allocation of RM5 million for the project.
“The project will start soon, the fund is available,” he said, adding that the cost of the project was estimated to exceed RM5 million and the ministry would request for more funds in the next Malaysia Plan.
To an additional question with regards to creating more recreational areas in Miri and Sibuti to address overcrowding in Luak Esplanade especially during weekends and public holidays, Gramong assured that the ministry would conduct studies to explore possible areas for expansion.
“In the meantime, our focus will be on the Bakam Point project,” he added.