By Ling Hui
KUCHING, March 1: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen is puzzled by Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) abnormally “quiet” reaction towards the development allocation for Sarawak in Budget 2023.
He said, in terms of percentage, the Federal government provides Sarawak with only 5.6 per cent out of the total development allocation in National Budget 2023, which is less than the 7.9 per cent allocated in Budget 2019.
He noted specifics saying that the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in 2019 set aside RM4.3 billion for Sarawak out of the total of RM54 billion development fund.
This year, however, he said Sarawak was only given RM5.6 billion out of the total of RM99 billion development budget.
“So, if we compare by percentage, the allocations for development in Sarawak out of the total budget size, I think this (allocation for Sarawak in Budget 2023) is very insufficient.
“I’m also a little puzzled as to why the (GPS) Sarawak government has been rather quiet this time. Previously, PH allocated 7.9 per cent to Sarawak and they (GPS) made a lot of noise saying that it was not fair.
“But today, when they are a part of this unity government and only 5.6 per cent was allocated, they did not make noise, very quiet,” said Chong when debating on Budget 2023 in Parliament yesterday (Feb 28).
He therefore urged that more allocations be given to Sarawak for development to reduce the gap and balance out the development paces between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. — DayakDaily
