He said the plan could be achieved as he had a good relationship with Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, and there were excellent ties between the federal and Sarawak governments.
“We want Sarawak to move forward relentlessly because it has great potential for development,” he said at a meet-the-people session during the construction launch of the Marudi Bridge at the Marudi Square here today.
Also present were Abang Johari, deputy chief ministers Douglas Uggah Embas and James Jemut Masing, Baram MP Anyi Ngau and Marudi state assemblyman Penguang Manggil.
Najib said it was his wish to see Sarawak develop further that had made him visit the state some 60 times in association with 161 programmes during his nine years as prime minister.
“I have provided additional allocations to the state on each of my walkabouts (over the past nine years), so much so that a deputy chief minister (Douglas Uggah Embas) informed me that I had approved a total sum of RM4.3 billion,” he added.
The prime minister said the Marudi Bridge, to be built at a cost of RM84 million, would benefit about 27,000 people.
The bridge, which would reduce travel time for the people, would bring about a major change and should have been built a long time ago, he added.