KUCHING, Feb 25: Sarawak should get at least a RM10 billion allocation in the revised Budget 2023 to enable the region’s development to be on par with Peninsular Malaysia, says political pundit Dato Peter Minos.
According to Minos, the Federal government could easily match Sarawak’s own budget of RM10.797 billion tabled by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Dec 1, 2022, to expedite development in Sarawak.
More importantly, he said, Sarawak badly needs that RM10 billion per year from the Federal government for improved road connectivity, electricity supply, treated water supply, clinics and schools especially for the rural areas.
“Allocating only RM5.6 billion is hardly enough,” he said in a statement today.
Minos opined, as it is for now, Sarawak has to rely on itself for funds to really develop and rise up economically.
However, he said, it is very much appreciated that the Federal government has allocated RM5.6 billion for Sarawak.
He also hoped that in the near future, the Federal government will rethink and review and give more funds to Sarawak.
Yesterday (Feb 24), when tabling the revised budget in Parliament, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Sarawak has been allocated RM5.6 billion in development funds while Sabah would get RM6.5 billion. — DayakDaily
