By FMT Staff
KUCHING: The tough geographical terrain and scattered population in Sarawak are not the main reason why it is difficult to develop infrastructure in the rural areas.
He said both the federal and state governments are aware of the necessity to provide basic infrastructure and utilities such as water and roads to the rural areas, but their efforts were hampered by money -- or the lack of it.
“We have financial limitations. Sarawak has a vast and tough geographical terrain and sparsely populated areas is a typical scenario.
“As such, we have to carry out infrastructural development in stages and based on priorities. We have to be fair to all,” he told reporters recently.
But Awang Tengah’s admission of “financial constraints” is being viewed with sarcasm and distrust.
A local teacher, who declined to be named, urged Awang Tengah to “find a new line” to convince people.
“We have heard this story many many times before… two thirds of Sarawak is without water, electricity and roads...
“But (Chief Minister) Taib (Mahmud) has money to buy Bakun Dam and properties everywhere...,” said the teacher, referring to Taib’s announcement last week that the Sarawak government will seek to buy over the RM7.3 billion Bakun hydro-electric dam from the federal government.
'Stop lying'
The 2,400 megawatt dam is owned by Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, which in turn is controlled by the federal government.
The teacher demanded to know why the state government is experiencing “financial constraints when Sarawak has ample wealth to develop itself”.
“They (federal and state governments) have taken us for a very costly ride...
"All our money in assessments and taxes have not gone towards developing this state... It has gone into personal coffers.
"The government should just stop lying to the people,” he said, referring to widely read reports of Taib’s international property portfolio worth billions of ringgit and his most recent purchases in Stampin.
The teacher said Taib and Sarawak BN have ruled for well over two decades yet two-thirds of the state lived in abject poverty with no or little decent housing, employment, sanitation and infrastructure development.
"If this was a new administration, I can accept ridiculous arguments like tough terrain... this is BN; it has everything but do little or nothing," the teacher said.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
URL: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/politics/sabah-and-sarawak/9763-no-money-for-roads-water-but-can-afford-bakun-dam
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