30km radius growth plan for rural folk in Sabah, Sarawak
By The Star
Friday June 13, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: The Government will develop areas within 30km of towns to meet the basic amenities of the rural people in Sabah and Sarawak.
“We will ensure that there are roads, electricity and water within the 30km radius of each urban centre of the district,??? Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said after a close door briefing with state assemblymen and MPs.
He noted that many areas in Sabah and Sarawak lagged behind in basic amenities compared to peninsular Malaysia.
In the peninsula, water supply in rural areas was 97% compared to Sabah (63%) and Sarawak (62%).
For electricity, the peninsula achieved 99% compared to Sabah (76.2%) and Sarawak (84.08%). In terms of roads, the peninsula achieved 95% with Sabah and Sarawak at only 40% and 34% respectively.
Muhammad said his ministry would monitor all the development including making physical checks at the areas.
“We will give colour codes to various areas where road, water and electricity have been delivered. When we look at our computers, we will know which areas are lagging behind,??? he said.
He said basic infrastructure development in Sabah and Sarawak would be sped up with the additional RM1bil grants announced for the states.
Other development projects were for tackling hardcore poverty, spurring rural economic growth and projects for social amenities, said Muhammad. Serious talk: Muhammad Taib (centre) having a discussion with his deputy Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (partly hidden), Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (right) and Karambunai assemblyman Jainab Datuk Ahmad at the meeting in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.