KUCHING, Oct 11: Sarawak has got the most allocation under the National Budget 2020 compared to previous years’ allocations, emphasised Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
“Out of a total RM30 billion Development Expenditure by states, Sarawak gets RM4.5 billion which is 14.8 per cent of the amount as compared to previous Barisan Nasional (BN)’s time which has never been such high proportion,” he said in a statement today.
Chong described the budget as business-friendly, having very diverse grants and lots of tax exemption.
“This will encourage more entrepreneurship. It also provides a clear direction for the economy and business sectors to move towards digitalisation and IR4.0,” he said.
“There is also a very strong effort by the federal government to encourage employment and move away from over-dependence on foreign labour as well as huge incentives for youth and women employment,” he added.
Chong, who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, believed most people will have some form of benefits from the budget.
“It just goes to show that, with a government that is not corrupt, the taxpayers’ money can go a long way in helping the people, the economy and the country to grow,” he stressed.
He voiced his disagreement with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s views that Sarawak does not need federal funds to develop as the state government can develop the state with its resources.
“That is very illogical and unwise thinking. I hope that Sarawak government will work together with the federal government for the implementation of all the projects for which the allocation has been made in the Budget 2020,” he urged.
Chong added that he will make the necessary arrangement for the Ministry of Finance (MoF) officers and the relevant agencies of the federal government to brief the business sector in Sarawak of all the grants, facilities and incentives provided in the Budget 2020 so that the Sarawak business sector can optimise the benefits provided.— DayakDaily
