Sarawak: RM1 billion goodies?

Reading Tony Thien's report in Malaysiakini that Sarawak will now receive an additional RM1 billion for infrastructural development raises serious questions about the federal government's approach to economic management and, the concomitant feedback from Sarawak government in response to the impact of the fuel price hikes and the knock-on inflationary spiral. Recently Sabah was granted an additional RM1 billion also. What gives? They taketh and then they giveth. This is NOT democracy, it is ad hocracy.

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Can Malaysia afford to be led by ad hoc government?

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Let's look closer. The RM1 billion is for infrastructural development in rural and coastal areas of Sarawak.

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Sarawakians probably know that "infrastructure development" means that the MAIN CONTRACTOR is likely to be "government-linked", such as Ting Pek King or CMS or similar entities. So, now the Dayaks can expect to use bridges instead of boats to cross the riverine districts of Sarawak with the RM1 billion. But are they going to WALK across the bridge or use motor vehicles or public transport? If they use motorised transport they will still be exposed to high fuel prices whteher directly or indirectly. And, unless they are self-sufficient in consuming their own farm produce they will still be exposed to the knock-on effect of inflation. So, as the Americans say, "Where's the beef?"

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I haven't even begun to point out that the RM1 billion will not be enjoyed by the townfolk of Sarawak. Remember? The money is for infrastructural development in rural and coastal areas of Sarawak.

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So, the townfolk of Sarawak must still accept a similar fate as their Semenanjung friends - higher fuel costs and higher prices from inflation. What "goodies" is that? More importantly, WHO will enjoy the "goodies"? Not the Sarawakians in rural and coastal areas of Sarawak. Not the Sarawakians in the interior. Not the Sarawakians in the towns of Sarawak. So, if you'll pardon the pun, everything comes to NAUGHT! That is the short-term and reactive thinking that is endemic in federal government policy-making. Is the state government any different? I haven't looked at it. Maybe we should ask the State PKR and State DAP leaders.

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And, while we're at it let us also ask whether there will be open tenders for these infrastructure projects or is it going to be the same old negotiated (behind closed doors) tenders?