By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 2: Sarawak has collected RM28.5 billion from the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products since it was implemented in 2019, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He emphasised that the additional revenue has significantly boosted the State’s coffers, but noted that the real test lies in how effectively those funds are managed and channelled towards meaningful development for the people.
“With a sizeable budget, the way we manage these resources will shape the pace and quality of our development.
“It is no longer enough to ask how much we are spending; the real question is what results we are delivering for the people,” he said when delivering his address at the Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) Agreement exchange ceremony held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak had engaged the World Bank to strengthen its public financial management system, particularly through Results-Based Budgeting (RBB), which links every ringgit spent to clear and measurable outcomes.
“This shift embeds accountability and performance at all levels of government, ensuring that decisions on resource allocation are based on results rather than inputs,” he added.
During the ceremony, the Sarawak government has signed the RAS agreement with the World Bank and the federal government through Ministry of Finance Malaysia, to help the State strengthen the governance of its State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
The three-year partnership will see the development of a new state ownership policy and the Sarawak Corporate Governance Code for SOEs, as well as the rollout of RBB across the State government. – DayakDaily
