Rural Water Supply Projects Worth RM3.4 Billion Handed Over To Sarawak To Expedite Implementation -Ahmad Zahid

KUCHING, April 14 (Bernama) -- A total of 80 rural water supply projects under the Rural Water Supply (BALB) programme, valued at RM3.47 billion, have been handed over to the Sarawak state government to speed up implementation.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the projects, comprising both new and ongoing initiatives, will now be implemented by the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to ensure faster delivery of clean water to rural communities.

“Starting today, implementation has been handed over to JBALB Sarawak to expedite the execution of water supply projects,” he said at a press conference after chairing the Coordination Meeting of the BALB Project Implementation Handover here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the 80 projects include 50 currently in the implementation phase, nine already implemented, 20 completed (post-implementation stage), and one cancelled.

He said that although there are regulatory constraints, a collaborative approach has been taken involving various ministries to ensure smooth implementation.

He said various parties were involved in negotiations to find the best way to speed up the implementation of projects that benefit rural people, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy.

“The Federal Government is open to proposals from the state government to find faster implementation methods while ensuring compliance with legal requirements,” he said.

He added that rising costs due to current economic conditions remain a key challenge in executing rural water supply projects in Sarawak.

However, he said guidelines will be developed by the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) to be presented to the Cabinet, which will consider any necessary adjustments to project costs if required.

-- BERNAMA