KUALA LUMPUR: The government will finance multi-billion ringgit projects using loans, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
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Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mustapa Mohamed said these loans will allow the government to pay for these projects.
The projects include 325km central spine road, or the Kuala Krai-Kuala Pilah toll-free highway, the Gemas-Johor Bahru double-tracking scheme, and the Pan Borneo Highway.
Work on these projects is at various stages.
Mustapa said Putrajaya aimed to complete these projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, which ends in 2025.
He was replying to Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), who asked how the government would finance these mega projects.
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“We are told that the government lacks funds. How will the government raise funds?” Tajuddin asked during the Ministerial Reply Time for the 2021 budget.
Mustapa said the projects would boost connectivity and spur the economy by increasing the number of jobs.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) suggested that the projects be postponed to help those who are jobless. “Put on hold these mega projects and help those in need,” he said.
Mustapa said if these planned projects were stopped, contractors, engineers, lawyers and suppliers will not have jobs.
“Everything is interrelated (when spurring the economy),” he said. – FMT