TASK FORCE TO FINALISE INITIAL FINANCING INITIATIVE – STATE DEPUTY MINISTER

KUCHING, A special task force will be formed to look into the terms of reference (TOR) for the initial financing initiative by Sarawak for federal projects in the state. Sarawak Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Sarawak State Secretary will jointly head the task force. 'The task force will come up with the details of the (initial financing initiative) implementation. 'Therefore, all issues pertaining to the status of implementation and timeline of the upgrading of dilapidated clinics and hospital in Sarawak, which have funding issues will hinge on the success of the TOR and details of the new funding mechanism,' he said in his reply to a question from Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) during a question and answer session at the state assembly sitting today. Wong wanted to know if there had been any definite plan to rehabilitate and upgrade the dilapidated and ill-equipped rural clinics in Sarawak. On March 30, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Sarawak government will be the first state to provide initial financing for federal projects in the state to speed up their implementation. Anwar said that the cooperation, which is of historical significance, would begin with the implementation of the Sarawak Cancer Centre at Kota Samarahan. 'I agree, we use a new method, where Sarawak can start the construction first, and we cover the expenses later through the federal government. We begin the construction and development of this cancer hospital as soon as possible,' said the Prime Minister. Source: BERNAMA News Agency