By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Nov 9: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has tabled a surplus state budget for 2021.
He said Sarawak is projected to collect RM10.01 billion in revenue next year with an allocation of RM9.83 billion for expenditure in 2021.
From the RM9.83 billion for expenditure, 61 per cent or RM6 billion is allocated for development while the balance of RM3.83 billion is for operating expenditure.
“With the estimated revenue of RM10.01 billion and a total proposed ordinary expenditure of RM9.83 billion, the proposed 2021 budget is expected to generate a surplus of RM180 million.
“The 2021 State Budget will continue to be an expansionary budget aimed at stimulating the state’s economic growth that was severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The focus of the budget will be a development biased budget, rural biased budget, paving way for economic recovery and improving sustainable living.
“It is the philosophy of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government that in our continuous efforts to develop the state, no one will be left behind,” he told the august House during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Abang Johari who is the Finance and Economic Planning Minister revealed almost half of the state’s revenue for next year or RM3.68 billion will be derived from the collection of State Sales Tax (SST).
He added the balance of 50 per cent of revenue collection for next year will be from non-tax revenue of RM4.99 billion, in particular the five per cent oil and gas royalty which amounts to RM1.88 billion.
He said other non-tax revenue income for Sarawak are dividend income (RM1.8 billion), interest income (RM822 millon), land premium (RM250 million), cash compensation in lieu of import and excise duties of petroleum products (RM120 million) and others such as licences, service fees, permits and rentals (RM119 million).
As for expenditure, he explained that the development expenditure will be used for the implementation of catalytic, high-impact and people-centric projects. — DayakDaily
