‘Sabah won’t match Sarawak at this rate’
Published on: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
By: Mohd Izham Bin Hashim
Yusof also questioned the reason behind RM4.751 billion in administrative funds for Sabah, which is much higher than Sarawak at RM3.32 billion.
While Sabah’s Budget 2024, which stands at RM5.7 billion, is deemed balanced in view of economic considerations and projected revenue, the State’s budgetary allocation has consistently trailed behind neighbouring Sarawak in recent years.
“Sarawak, in comparison, has presented a budget of RM12.37 billion, with RM9.04 billion, which dwarfs that of Sabah,” said Sindumin Assemblyman, Datuk Yusof Yacob while debating the State Budget 2024 at the State Legislative Assembly.
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He pointed Sarawak has allocated funds amounting to RM9.04 billion for development, in contrast to Sabah’s RM950 million.
“This means Sarawak’s local development will be amplified and Sabah will be left behind if nothing is done to change our approach in managing the State and improve our economic situation,” he said.
Yusof also questioned the reason behind RM4.751 billion in administrative funds for Sabah, which is much higher than Sarawak at RM3.32 billion.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for the political leadership, government officials, corporate leaders and heads of GLCS tasked to increase the state’s revenue,” stressed Yusof.
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He lamented Sabah and Sarawak have abundant economic resources, land mass and are both equal partners in forming the Malaysian Federation in 1963, however the difference between the two states lies in their political structure, leadership and governance.
“Sabah, which was once the richest State in the 60-70s, now ranks among states with the highest rate of hardcore poverty (19.5pc), with 8 out of 10 of the poorest districts in the country are located in Sabah,” he added.
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Yusof also pointed Sabah has 16 chief ministers compared to Sarawak which has achieved much progress with only six chief ministers since independence.
He took the opportunity to congratulate the State leadership for their achievement for their stake of 25 per cent share in Petro-Chemical Sabah Fertilizer Sdn Bhd Sogip, which is already generating dividends.
“In the past, it was unfortunate there is a lack of participation from the State government nor state GLCs in large scale projects in the State, such as Felda, Sime Darby, IOI and Boustead. Sabah probably received a one-off payment premium but there are no shares despite the land being owned by the State,” added Yusof.
Yusof, who is also Qhazanah Sabah Chairman, noted that a minimum of 30 per cent was set for all foreign investments cooperating with Qhazanah Sabah Berhad.
He emphasised the importance of proper administration and strict regulation to prevent mismanagement of GLCs and leakages such as Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) which resulted in bankruptcy and serves as an expensive lesson.
He noted that Sabah’s economy is still reliant on its two major commodities, namely crude oil and crude palm oil, evident from the 21.1 per cent drop of crude petroleum exports, and 24.5 percent dip in prices from USD 106 per barrel in 2022, to USD80.59 per barrel in 2023, followed by the plunge of crude palm oil prices at RM3,873.63 per tonne in 2023 from RM5,628.13 per tonne in 2022.
“It is hoped that with the immediate cessation of conflicts, the world can return to a degree of stability that will provide more conducive conditions for Sabah to recover economically.”
He noted the encouraging signs in Sabah’s tourism industry, which is steadily rebounding as more tourists flock to the State. “Hopefully, tourist arrivals to Sabah will gradually chart an upward trend to pre-Covid levels and reach four million tourists per year,” said Yusof.
He also reminded civil servants to fulfil their responsibilities with urgency to efficiently implement State policies and expedite investment projects for the betterment of the people and State.
In another development, he called for greater efforts for the preservation of historical buildings which should be restored into tourist attractions.
“In Sipitang, I have requested for the old district office building to be preserved. The building is the only legacy from the British colonial government and can be developed into a tourist product,” he said.
He said the government should consider setting aside RM4mil to carry out the preservation of the colonial building and designate it as a “heritage building” that could be utilised as a district information gallery.
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