The issue began when Infrastructure and Ports Development Assistant Minister Julaihi Narawi questioned PH’s commitment to ensuring Sarawak’s development. He noted in particular the construction of three bridges in Igan, Rambungan and Batang Lupar promised by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Under the plan, the federal government was to bear the cost of building the first two bridges, with the cost of building the third in Batang Lupar shared equally with the state government.

Julaihi asked if Putrajaya was treating Sarawak like a “stepchild”.

“Everyone knows how many allocations have been approved by the federal government for other projects in Malaya, but the ones in Sarawak seem to be blocked,” he said.

However, Ba’Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian who is also works minister said he had made it clear that the three bridges were under the state’s purview.

He said the project was approved by the BN government but that the PH government was unable to proceed with construction due to financial constraints.

“This does not mean that we are not fighting for Sarawak,” he said, adding that Julaihi’s remarks were unfair.

Baru, the Sarawak PKR chairman, also denied that Sarawak PH leaders were afraid of their “bosses”.

“Being a responsible government, PH will only execute projects that are within the government’s capability and financial ability,” he said.

He added that Sabah and Sarawak had been given special focus by the federal government in the 2020 Budget.

“GPS leaders should not belittle the allocations given to both states because when they were part of the BN government, Sarawak remained the same,” he added.

“It’s obvious that they did not want to be associated with the previous government when they rebranded themselves as GPS.”