1,DEWAN___ANSWER_ON INFRASTURETURE PROJECTS IN SARAWAK

2,REPORTS ON EFFECTS OF HAZE 

3,FINANCIAL ALLOCATION TO FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS IN SARAWAK

4,POULTRY/ANIMAL FEED PRODUCED LOCALLY

5,PLAN TO MAKE SIBU DIVISION A VIABLE TOURIST DESTINATION
 

Speeches /Debates

(a) Speech on Dewan Undangan Negeri (Privileges etc) Bill 

(b) Speech on Sales Tax Bill 

(c) Speech on Wildlife Protection Bill 

(d)Speech on Motion of Thanks to TYT 

a) The amount of financial allocations to Federal Departments in Sarawak (including but not limiting to Immigration, Customs and Excise, Police and Field Force, Judicial Departments);

(b) In what manner has the allocations been affected by the current economic crisis. Can the Minister confirm that these allocations have been reduced. If so, by how much;

(c) Whether the reduced allocations may affect the efficiency and performance of these Federal Departments. 
 

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Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Kemudahan Awam (Datuk Dr. George Chan Hong Nam): Tuan Speaker, in answering the Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek:

(a) The total financial allocation from the federal departments in Sarawak for 1998 is RM1,442,184,580.60 of which RM247,727,375.84 is for operating expenses while RM1,194,457,204.76 is for development. However, the exact allocation for 1998 is still subject to the final decision of the Federal Finance Ministry.

(b) As Ahli Yang Berhormat is aware, the approved allocation has been made based on the current economic situation. Earlier on, the Federal Government has made a reduction of 10% on its budget across the board followed by another 8% later on. Lately the Federal Government has again made a further reduction of 3% in its budget allocation. However, the deduction percentage defers from Ministry to ministry.

(c) For the information of Ahli Yang Berhomat, the deduction on allocation by the Federal Treasury does not affect the efficiency of the federal agencies in Sarawak. The Federal Government has also issued Treasury's Circular No. 6 of 1997 on various cost-cutting measures as follows:

(i) Creation of new posts, filling of vacant posts and promotion exercises based on length of service without filling any vacant posts now required special approval From the Federal Treasury/Public Service Department.

(ii) Tighter control is made on expenses incurred on overtime allowances, travelling within and outside the country, organising conventions and seminars, exchange of officers to overseas, lease of office spaces, utility usage, purchase of assets, courses, workshops and ceremonies and festive celebrations.

(iii) For development project and procurements under development budget guidelines have been drawn ip as follows:

(a) All development projects or procurements which have not been legally executed thereto have to be postponed except for projects under Para 5 below;

(b) For projects or procurements which have been legally executed thereto but have not been implemented, actions have to be taken to negotiate with parties concerned to postpone their implementation except for projects under Para 5 below;

(c) Development projects which are near completion or at least 80% completed can be continued;

(d) For other projects all procurements which are under implementation. Including privatisation projects, the Federal Treasury and Economic Planning Unit will review their situations and implementation;

(e) Exception as given to critical and strategic projects such as education, health, human resource development, rural development, poverty eradications and projects which can increase economic efficiency subject to Treasury approval.

Encik Wong Ho Leng: (Supplementary question) Now, I heard that each police vehicle is only entitled to a maximum of 100 litres of fuel per month. Whether the Minister can confirm this is true and also I also heard that each of the Federal Government Departments' telephones is also restricted to RM50 per month, whether this is true?

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Kemudahan Awam (Datuik, Dr. George Chan Hong Nam): I am afraid that I cannot confirm that but if you write in perhaps the Federal Department will be able to confirm to you.