By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 7: Sarawak government has the money to fund its development programme, especially in fulfilling its Budget 2020, said Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
He added that if he could drive a truckload full of cash to the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) chamber to prove his point, he would.
Fazzrudin’s sarcastic remark was aimed at Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who recently said that Sarawak Budget 2020 was taking into consideration of revenue yet to be generated.
The Tupong assemblyman said the state was trying to regenerate more income through revenue re-engineering and one of it is through of the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).
“The government puts the deposit into DBOS and the money can be used by DBOS to generate more revenue and the proceeds can be returned by DBOS to the government in the form of a dividend.
“In addition, the deposit money can be used to finance government projects where interests may be charged,” he explained when debating the Sarawak Budget 2020 at the DUN sitting here today.
The concepts of Revenue Re-engineering and Alternative financial modeling practiced by the Sarawak government is one of the ways the state estimates its revenue for 2020, he continued.
“The Honorable Member of Kota Sentosa says the government’s budget is taking into consideration of the revenue that is not there yet. Well, this income is not there yet but the projection concept is clear.
“This is the concept that we have before coming out with the budget. Having the budget first and then try to come out with some concepts to fill the gap.
“Is the Honorary Member of Kota Sentosa would only be satisfied to see truckloads of cash being brought into this noble hall?” said Fazzrudin.
Following the setting up of the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Highland Development Agency (HDA), Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) and Samarahan Development Agency, Fazzruddin proposed the setting up of a sustainable urban development agency to plan for city’s economic growth. — DayakDaily
