Govt remains committed to implement people centric projects: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The government remains committed to implement People Centric projects and programmes in urban and rural areas by implementing various initiatives and improving facilities and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said among initiatives include the installation of 97,000 street lights and 3,000 LED lights at road junctions involving 7,500 villages throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

He said to enhance connectivity of villages, towns and cities, a total of 616km of village roads and bridges will be built and upgraded with an allocation of RM1.2 billion.

"To maintain state roads, a total of RM4.6 billion is allocated to all states under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS)," said Najib when tabling the 2017 Budget in Dewan Rakyat today.

To build and refurbish 17,000 units of destitute and dilapidated houses in remote villages and Orang Asli settlements, an allocation of RM350 million is allocated.

The Prime Minister said to increase the supply of clean water, including the upgrading of Felda water supply system for about 5,200 houses, an allocation of RM732 million is provided.

To improve capacity and ensure water supply to states, the government will allocate grants totalling RM156 million and loans amounting to RM509 million.

In addition, a Water Supply Fund will be established immediately with an allocation of RM500 million to address water supply issues throughout the nation.
He said to provide electricity supply to about 10,000 houses in rural areas, an allocation of RM460 million has been allocated said Najib.
"The government is concerned about the welfare of urban residence, especially those living in flats. These flats are rundown due to lack of maintenance, including malfunctioning lifts.

"Therefore, the government allocates RM300 million under the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund (TP1M) to repair facilities at flats and 113 People's Housing Programme (PPR) in urban and suburban areas," he said.

The government will also implement People-Friendly Projects with an allocation of RM800 million to upgrade surau, small bridges, drainage, community halls, markets and kiosks said Najib who is also the Finance Minister.

"Furthermore, a total of 69 Flood Mitigation Plans will be continued nationwide with an allocation of RM495 million," he said. — Bernama