Ahmad Zahid pledges to resolve delayed projects in Sarawak

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today pledged to do his best to resolve delayed government projects in Sarawak.

He said he would return to Sarawak, bringing with him the relevant ministers and officers to discuss these projects with Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said all problems would be looked into thoroughly at the meeting and he would not compromise with any quarters or contractors who could not complete their projects on time.

"I'll not compromise with contractors or consultants or any officers who delay projects, especially those involving the people's interests," he said when addressing an Aidilfitri 'open house' organised by the Home Ministry here.

Before arriving at the event, Ahmad Zahid, along with Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, made a surprise visit to the site of the new Sri Aman Hospital where work had been held up for more than seven months.

Earlier, at the Hornbill Skyway hangar, Ahmad Zahid was briefed by Uggah on the rabies outbreak in the Serian district.

He handed over a personal contribution of RM60,000 to Mazlan Pujan, the father of the two rabies-infected children who died last week.

On the rabies outbreak, Ahmad Zahid said he was satisfied with the handling of the situation by Uggah, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee chairman, and State Local Government Minister Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, since the disease was detected in Serian last month.

He said the state government, with assistance from the federal government, handled the situation effectively, where free anti-rabies vaccination was provided and the welfare of the residents was looked into.

On his meeting with Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh in Putrajaya yesterday, Ahmad Zahid said he also raised the issue of foreign fishermen poaching in the country's waters.

At the Aidilfitri programme, Ahmad Zahid presented grants to four residents associations for the purchase of equipment to maintain safety and cleanliness in their neighbourhood.

Thousands of people attended the event where artistes such as Datuk Nash, Datuk Khatijah Ibrahim and Malek Ridzuan performed.

Ahmad Zahid concluded his two-day visit to Sarawak today.

-- BERNAMA