KUCHING: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry will focus on seeing through 24 projects in Sarawak that had not been completed since 2016.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said these projects totalled around RM1.4 billion.
Some of the projects, he said, had cost over RM300 million each.
The majority of these delayed projects are rural infrastructures — water supply, electricity supply, roads — under the purview of Majlis Amanah Rakyat and the Community Development Department.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, gave his assurance that all delayed projects would begin before the start of the 13th Malaysia Plan in 2026.
"There's no point in having new projects if the older ones haven't been carried out or started."
Describing the number as significant, Zahid said his ministry would now give their completion it's priority.
"We are prioritising them."
In a press conference after attending a briefing on the Implementation of Sarawak State Development Projects here today, Zahid said, as an initial step to restart work, discussions would be held with various ministries and federal agencies to address pertinent issues.
He said a meeting would be held in two weeks' time and the agenda would include new project costs and construction material costs, given the lengthy delays.
"One of the delayed projects is the Jiwa Murni (rural roads) initiative, which involves upgrading former logging roads at a cost of RM85 million, essential to provide connectivity for remote communities."
He said any issues involving the state government, such as land acquisition, should be resolved promptly.
"The Sarawak government is committed to resolving these issues, and certain state agencies have initial funds available to expedite land acquisition."