'Are there enough funds for 10MP projects?'

KUCHING: The former president of Dayak Bidayuh National Association Peter Minos welcomes the measures taken by the government under the 10MP to improve the lives of Malaysians and to propel the country into new heights towards developed status.

He however questions the government’s ability to carry out the projects in view of her debts of RM233 billion.

“I hope the government has the funds for the projects proposed under the 10MP as the country has a huge debts of RM233 billion.

“We do not want Malaysia to be too indebted as this will result in bad consequences,” said Minos, who is an influential member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu.

“We want Malaysia to rise up in development, but not to be bogged down with huge debts,” he said when contacted by FMT.

Minos is also worried about leakages and improper use of the funds at implementation stage.

“The Prime Minister must get the right people who are honest. This is very important,” he said.

His concern must have stemmed from reports by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission that 60 percent of the government projects in Sarawak were found to have “leakages”.

No specific programmes

On the special attention on Sabah and Sarawak, Minos said that the two states must be given accelerated development to catch up with the development in the peninsular.

He said that it is good that the rural folks be given the five very basic amenities – treated water, roads, electricity, clinic and most important of all good primary schools.

“Malaysia can only be a developed nation if the poor and the struggling folks also have the jobs with high incomes.

“It is not equitable if only the urban people have high incomes with all the facilities and not rural folks,” he said, urging that the government must stretch all out to help the poor rural folks with the jobs and incomes.

“It is very important that the rural people must be given opportunities in the economy and to have good education. Neglecting them will not do,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said that there are no specific programmes to help the rural people in the 10MP.

“You are right. There is nothing for the rural Sabahans and Sarawakians to be proud of.

“We are taken for granted notwithstanding our wealth that has been taken away, stolen or sold off,” he said.

Free Malaysia Today
14/06/10

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