KUCHING: Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom hopes that the 2021 Budget will fulfil the needs of all Malaysians.
He hoped the government would continue to fulfil the need for basic amenities and infrastructure, while emphasising sustainable income.
“Employment and job creation should be our utmost focus,” he said when contacted on Saturday (Nov 7).
He also said it was everyone’s hope that the 2021 Budget would look into how the nation can recover from the current Covid-19 pandemic, particularly with regard to wellbeing, health, and socio-economic circumstances.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the announcement of the RM4.5 billion allocated to Sarawak to upgrade water, electricity, and road infrastructure was a great relief as the Sarawak government aimed to channel water and electricity to all households by 2025.
“In terms of water supply, we really need an injection of allocation to realise the Sarawak government’s goal of channelling water supply to all households statewide,” he said.
As such, he said the allocation of RM632 million for rural and alternative water supply as well as RM250 million for rural electricity supply would definitely boost the development of these two utilities.
He said that every time the federal budget was announced, Sarawak would hope for large allocations in line with the state’s efforts to bridge the development gap between the urban and rural areas.
“Sarawak is still far behind in various aspects of development, especially facilities such as roads as well as water and electricity supply,” said Abdul Rahman.
