By Clara Chooi
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 21, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Putrajaya revealed today that it had announced projects worth a total of RM1.18 billion in Sarawak during the just-concluded state polls.
In a written response to Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Department explained that until April 30 this year, a total of 62 programmes and projects were announced for the hornbill state.
Of the total, it added, 52 projects were kicked off this year with the remainder to be carried out in the years to come.
“The programme/projects announced were planned earlier,” it said.
The RM1.18 billion was divided between 10 ministries, namely the Prime Minister’s Department; Rural and Regional Development Ministry; Natural Resources and Environment Ministry; Defence Ministry; Health Ministry; Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry; Education Ministry; Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry; Works Ministry; and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
The projects include upgrading work for suraus, mosques and other places of worship; community halls, schools and roads; longhouse repairs; electricity supply; the construction of jetties and bridges; the renovation of hospitals and clinics; flood mitigation work; and contributions and welfare aid, among others.
In her question, Kok had asked the prime minister to reveal the number and value of development projects announced by all ministries in the two-month period before the polls and during the 10-day campaign period.
The Sarawak state elections, which were held on April 16, saw the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) pact cruise to a resounding victory when it garnered 55 of the 71 state seats up for grabs.
But Pakatan Rakyat (PR) still made inroads with its 15-seat victory in a state long considered a BN fortress.
The federal opposition has also accused BN of securing its win through vote rigging and by using its massive resources from both the federal and state cabinets to buy support.