SARAWAK BUDGET 2025 ALLOCATES RM1.31 BLN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PORTS DEVELOPMENT

KUCHING, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development (MIPD) has been allocated RM1.31 billion under the state’s Budget 2025, marking a significant 64 per cent increase from the RM799.52 million set aside for this year.

This substantial boost underscores the state government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and enhancing connectivity across Sarawak, said the state’s Deputy Premier and Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Winding up the debate on the budget at the State Legislative Assembly here today, he said RM1.01 billion would be channelled for land infrastructure, riverine infrastructure (RM83.3 million), government buildings (RM211.59 million) and public facilities (RM5.08 million).

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, he said MIPD had been tasked with implementing 496 projects valued at RM40.83 billion, encompassing 298 road projects worth RM27.17 billion, 69 bridges (RM5.37 billion), 105 buildings (RM3.54 billion), 22 riverine structures (RM4.4 billion) and two airports (RM350.82 million).

“(To date), 203 projects have been completed, 109 are under construction, and 184 are in the pre-contract stage,” he said, adding that his ministry through the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak is also responsible for implementing 276 projects under six development agencies worth RM3.48 billion. 

Acknowledging the challenges posed by climate change, Uggah outlined the government’s proactive measures to mitigate disaster-related damages to infrastructure, with RM29 million set aside in 2023 for emergency repairs to roads and bridges, while an additional RM11.2 million was approved for minor emergency works to address climate-related disruptions.

“The provision of funding for these projects highlights the Sarawak government’s strong commitment to helping settlements adversely affected by natural disasters by swiftly repairing damaged infrastructure and facilities,” he added.

-- BERNAMA