Dewan Negara News In Brief: March 4
98 JALB PROJECTS IN SARAWAK APPROVED WITH RM9.04 BILLION FUNDING
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has approved 98 projects under the Rural Roads (JALB) programme for Sarawak, with a total allocation of RM9.04 billion, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said that, out of the total, 11 projects involve upgrading former logging roads across Sarawak, at a cost of RM759 million.
She added that nine JALB projects have been approved for the Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituency, amounting to RM674.9 million. Among them, two projects focus on upgrading former logging roads, both of which are currently under construction.
“The physical progress of the upgrading of the logging road to Tegulang Resettlement (Phase 5) in Kapit, Sarawak is 44.24 per cent, and is expected to be completed in October 2025, while the physical progress of the upgrading logging road to Metalun Resettlement (Phase 6) in Kapit, is 5.73 per cent, with this project expected to be completed in March 2027.
“The implementing agency for both projects is the Sarawak Public Works Department,” she said in her reply to a question from Senator Michael Mujah Lihan regarding the logging road upgrading project in Sarawak, which is often damaged and unsafe, as well as the percentage of progress of the upgrading works in the Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituency.
-- BERNAMA
MOTAC TO BOOST MERSING TOURISM WITH TWO PROGRAMMES THIS YEAR
KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through Tourism Malaysia, is set to launch several programmes this year, to showcase the uniqueness and diversity of activities in the Mersing archipelago, Johor.
Its Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said that one of the key initiatives, Johor Dive and Underwater Photography, is scheduled for June 2025. Meanwhile, the Mersing Island Hopping and Beach Clean-Up programme is set to take place in August 2025.
“These programmes will create new opportunities for Mersing, allowing it to be introduced not only to Malaysians but also to an international audience,” he said, at the Dewan Negara, today.
He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Lim Pay Hen, regarding MOTAC’s strategies to boost tourism in Mersing, Johor.
Meanwhile, he highlighted several emerging tourist attractions in Malaysia, with the potential to draw both local and international visitors. These include Antarctic Snow World and Glow Planet, both in Penang; Borneo Paragliding in Ranau, Sabah; Eagle’s Nest Skywalk in Langkawi; and Encore Melaka.
-- BERNAMA
KPK TO PROPOSE HIGHER ASSISTANCE RATE FOR SMALLHOLDERS IN 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) plans to propose an increase in the assistance rate for smallholders, cultivating integrated crops alongside oil palm, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Its Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, however, said that the approval of this request would depend on the country’s financial capacity.
He said this at the Dewan Negara, today, in response to a question from Senator Abdul Nasir Idris, regarding the ministry’s plans to enhance financial support for smallholders engaged in integrated farming with oil palm.
-- BERNAMA
