By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 13: Sarawak’s development fund allocation in Budget 2024 has increased to RM5.8 billion, up from RM5.6 billion in 2023.
On the other hand, Sabah sees an increment in its development fund to RM6.6 billion, compared to the previous RM6.5 billion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the interim special grants for Sarawak and Sabah have been increased to RM300 million, an increase from the previous RM16 million for Sarawak and RM125.6 million for Sabah.
“The last review of special grants to Sarawak and Sabah was made in 1969 and 2022, respectively,” he said during the tabling of Budget 2024 in Parliament, which was broadcast live today.
To enhance project implementation efficiency, Anwar disclosed that the Federal government has also delegated the authority to implement development projects below RM50 million to technical agencies in Sabah and Sarawak.
He also mentioned the approval of the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (Amendment) Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (Oct 12), which allocates representation for the Sabah government as the Chief Minister of Sabah and for the Sarawak government as the Premier of Sarawak, in accordance with the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) Report of 1963.
Anwar pointed out that the Federal government is still negotiating to realise the handover of Bintulu Port and the operation of Rural Air Service (RAS) to the State government.
Additionally, he shared that the Federal government and the Sabah government have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of power to regulate electricity supply, which will take effect on Jan 3, 2024.
Although the regulatory power has been handed over to the Sabah government, he said the Federal government will continue to assist the Sabah in strengthening the electricity supply industry through the provision of subsidies to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) until the SESB Transformation Plan is successfully implemented within seven years or by 2030.
“To ensure stability and reduce electricity supply disruptions in Sabah, especially in the eastern areas of Sabah, the Federal government will support the implementation of hybrid solar energy generation as well as the construction of a network of electricity transmission lines in southern Sabah,” he added. — DayakDaily
