DBNA Tebedu: RM16.2 bln allocation must benefit rural Sarawak

KUCHING: Rural Sarawak must see tangible benefits from the RM16.2 billion allocated to the state under Budget 2027, rather than merely a larger allocation, says the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Tebedu Branch.

Its chairman Dr Alim Impira said in a statement that the allocation is encouraging, but the real test is how much it improved the lives of ordinary Sarawakians.

“For those in rural and interior Sarawak, development can mean something much more basic: a reliable supply of clean water, electricity at home, a road that remains usable during heavy rain, and reasonable access to a school or clinic,” he said in a statement today (Oct 11).

He said Budget 2027 provides RM3.3 billion nationwide for basic rural infrastructure, including water and electricity supply and village lighting, and another RM2.3 billion for rural roads under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. He said the amounts earmarked for Sarawak should be clearly identified.

Dr Alim said Sarawak should work with the federal government to identify villages that still lack reliable clean water, electricity and all-weather roads, and prioritise them according to need, not convenience.

“Road construction must also be accompanied by proper drainage, bridges and regular maintenance.

“Similarly, water and electricity projects must provide reliable services, not merely complete infrastructure,” he said.

He said rural communities could develop agriculture, food production, eco-tourism, handicrafts and small businesses, but growth was held back by costly transport, unreliable internet and limited market access. He called for business training, financing, digital marketing and help in finding buyers for rural entrepreneurs, with cooperatives helping small producers pool resources and reach larger markets.

“The objective should be to help rural communities become more economically independent, rather than remain dependent on assistance,” he said.

Dr Alim also stressed that education and healthcare needed more than buildings, namely qualified teachers, internet access, adequate medical staff, essential medicines and reliable emergency transport.

On implementation, he urged the federal and Sarawak governments to set clear targets and make public the approved projects, allocations, and start and completion dates. He said local authorities, village leaders and community organisations should help monitor progress, and that facilities must be properly maintained after handover.

He said development should be measured not only by kilometres of roads built or money spent, but also by the number of households receiving clean water, reliable electricity and better incomes.

“The true value of RM16.2 billion will not be determined by the size of the allocation, but by how far its benefits reach. In rural Sarawak, development must reach the last mile and the people who live there,” he said.