KUCHING: It was just a suggestion for the state government to use excess fund from the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) for the maintenance of state roads.
This was clarified by Works Minister Baru Bian after being criticised by former Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who said that Baru’s suggestion was unconstitutional.
“I have been misquoted in Penang. I did not say use Marris fund to construct new roads. What I suggested was for the respective states to use the excess Marris fund for the maintenance of federal roads in the states,” he said at a press conference during the Christmas and New Year Open House at MBKS Community Hall here yesterday.
Baru, who is also Sarawak PKR chairman, explained that it was mandatory for the federal government to allocate fund under Marris strictly for the maintenance of state roads and from his understanding, some states received the Marris fund and put it in banks as fixed deposit.
“Therefore, I was suggesting why not use that fund for maintenance of federal roads in the state itself,” he said.
He added that it was the state’s right whether to use the Marris fund or not and the federal government cannot take it back.
“Yes, my ministry would like to allocate more money for the maintenance of state roads but due to the country’s current financial situation, I just want to suggest why not use the excess fund first,” he said.
Baru also said that he would be speaking to all the respective states immediately to get their feedback.
Meanwhile, during the open house which was hosted for the first time by Baru after being appointed as Works Minister, he said the open house tradition in Sarawak should continue, be preserved and practised by other states.
“Today, people from my ministry who are from West Malaysia are here to witness the unity among our multicultural society and this proves that we are respectful and are tolerant although people are of different races and religions,” he said.
Among those present were Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, PKR Sarawak vice chairman See Chee How, PKR national women vice chief Voon Shiak Ni, Saratok MP Ali Biju and Public Works Department director-general Datuk Seri Roslan Mohd Taha.
