State cabinet decision to expedite implementation of stimulus package projects in Sarawak, says Dr Chan

MIRI: Sarawak is drawing up various strategies to effectively and expeditiously implement projects under the second economic stimulus package, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said on Thursday night.

He said, among other things, the state has decided that the tender system for some of the projects under the package be waived.

According to him, the decision was made at a State Cabinet meeting held in Kuching on Thursday.

The deputy chief minister added that the implementation of the projects needed be hastened due to the two-year completion time frame under the package announced on March 10.

Dr Chan said all state ministers had been directed to speed up projects under their respective ministries.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, had said when making the announcement that an allocation of RM1.2 billion of the total RM60 billion under the package was for Sabah and Sarawak.

Dr Chan said much of the allocation for the state would be used for the development of infrastructure projects, adding that the state would be able to see the results by the third quarter of this year.

He was asked by reporters what immediate contingency plans the government had taken to cushion the impact on the global economic meltdown which had also affected the forestry sector.

Dr Chan earlier officiated at the United Indian New Year celebration at a leading hotel here.

The deputy chief minister was happy that part of the money allocated under the package had already been given to Sarawak.

The gathering was organised by Miri Indian Association in association with the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.

The highlights of the night were various Indian dance and folk song presentations by a renowned international dance troupe from New Delhi called ‘Kanwarpreet Singh Bhangra’.

More than 500 guests comprising Indians of different ethnic groups from across the state and neighbouring Brunei as well members of other local communities attended the gathering held for the t hird time after two successful ones in the past two years.

Infrastructure Develop-ment and Communication Assistant Minister Lee Kim Shin, Sibuti member of parliament Ahmad Lai Bujang, Pujut assemblyman Andy Chia, Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunos and Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai were among those present.

Miri Indian Association president Karambir Singh, Brunei Indian Association president K Salim Karan and Miri Sikh Temple president Gurmokh Singh were also present.