KUCHING, Nov 9: The Sarawak government’s continuous development-biased budget will ensure that that the State will be able to complete its mega infrastructure projects such as major roads and bridges by 2025, and thereafter will enable Sarawak to create its own sovereign fund.
In pointing this out, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said, under Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s administration, Sarawak has been able to table its budget of over RM10 billion in the last two years.
“Even though we are facing a very challenging time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been able to implement a development-biased budget due to our ability to generate more income from our financial reengineering under the able leadership of our CM Abang Jo,” Dr Sim told a news conference in support of the State Budget 2021 tabled by Abang Johari at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing described the budget as inclusive and will benefit all Sarawakians including those living in the urban areas.
“This includes building more affordable housing and houses for rent, free school bus services, health insurance for those below 18 years old,” he said.
Dr Sim said with the introduction of State Sales Tax (SST) since last year, Sarawak will be able to generate some RM3 billion annually.
“This RM3 billion annual income from our SST is part of the financial re-engineering which the Chief Minister introduced since he took over as chief minister in 2017,” he added.
Dr Sim said, with the extra income of RM3 billion from SST, Sarawak has seen its budget ballooned to over RM10 billon since last year, even though the state’s income from other resources such as timber and timber products have shrunk. — DayakDaily
