KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak has been allocated RM5.7bil under the National Key Results Area (NKRA) to carry out various infrastructure projects and provide amenities to upgrade the living standard of the people.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said by the end of next year, 700km of roads would be completed, about 12,000 people would benefit from a rural electrification scheme (RES) and 4,000 more, from treated water supply.

They would involve 2,866 households and 5,238 hardcore poor.

“By end of 2012, RES will increase from the current 66% to 95% and treated water from 57% to 90%,” Taib told the media here recently.

The Rural and Regional Development Minis-try said there had been encouraging progress in the construction of roads and the provision of power supply to rural areas under the NKRA for rural infrastructure nationwide.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the ministry had built 207.7km of road as of Jan 31, this year, with 44.5km in Sabah, 37.37km (Sarawak) and 125.86km (Peninsular Malaysia).

It aims to complete the construction of another 697.4km of roads to achieve the target of 905.12km for the year.

On electricity supply, he said the ministry was in the process of channelling supply to housing areas in Sabah and Sarawak, which was expected to be completed this year, targeting some 27,000 houses nationwide.

During Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's recent visit to Serian, he had announced a whopping RM252.35mil allocation for water and electricity supply.

Many among the Opposition parties, said to be out of ideas for campaigning during by-elections in Kerdau and Merlimau, recently tried to question the timing of announcements by the Barisan Nasional government for such development projects, alleging that they were made simply to bait for votes.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Government aimed to complete all projects under the NKRA in Sarawak by next year, and that he was closely monitoring them via monthly reports on their progress. - Bernama

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