RM6 billion projects implemented in Sabah: Budget formula stays
Published on: Thursday, September 07, 2023
By: Larry Ralon
Ahmad said he knows that the development allocation received by Sabah this year is still not enough, because Sabah is a vast State and lacking in terms of infrastructure. - Bernama pic
Kota Kinabalu: Next month’s Federal Budget will still be based on distribution among the 14 states despite calls for it to be distributed according to the three regions – Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak – that formed Malaysia.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said: “That (based on three regions) has not yet been decided in such a way.
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We are still looking at the states (distribution based on 14 states),” he said, after chairing the Jelajah Belanjawan 2024-Sabah dialogue at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) Wednesday.
“Pahang also asked for a large allocation because it is the largest state in the peninsula. They also asked for a large share.
“We look at it in terms of practicality at this moment and time. At a time when we appreciate and respect the three regions, at the same time in the peninsula, there are states that need it in terms of size.
“However, from the perspective of the regions, for the first time this year, Sabah got the biggest development projects compared to other states in the annual Federal Budget. It may happen again in next year’s budget,” said Ahmad.
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He declined comment when asked on latest developments over the RM320.25 million allocation approved by the Prime Minister to Sabah to solve the water supply issue as well as on the Sabah Trust Fund established by the Sabah Government for unused Federal funding. Some 400 people from various government and non-governmental organisations attended the session.
Sabah is the fifth destination after Malacca, Johor, Penang and Pahang, while Sarawak on Sept 15.
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Earlier, Ahmad said based on matters raised in the dialogue the 2024 Budget would focus, among other things, on solving infrastructure problems such as water supply, roads, internet connectivity, poor schools, poor clinics and police stations in Sabah.
He also said the RM6.5 billion in development allocation in the Federal Budget 2023 for development projects in Sabah, is the largest compared to the overall amounts received by the other 13 states.
In terms of the number of projects, he said, 1,048 were implemented last year across ministries and it was increased this year to 1,144 projects.
“In terms of annual allocation, from RM5.1 billion in 2022, it has been increased to RM6.5 billion this year. This is the annual budget allocation for development.
“Besides that, we also provided the Rahmah cash aid. We will continue these things for Budget 2024.”
Ahmad said he knows that the development allocation received by Sabah this year is still not enough, because Sabah is a vast State and lacking in terms of infrastructure.
“Nevertheless, it proves that the Unity Government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gives a high focus to Sabah and also Sarawak...the population also plays a role.”
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