By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 18: The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has unanimously passed the Supplementary Supply (2023) Bill, 2023, allowing an additional expenditure of RM368,165,200 on the fourth day of the DUN sitting today.
The Bill’s First Supplementary Estimates of Ordinary Expenditure, 2023, was tabled by the Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Second Minister for Finance and New Economy, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“The additional expenditure is to meet the following requirements, for which a total of RM214,165,200 is required by the Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunication, such as RM200,000,000 for extension of subsidy on electricity charges from Jan 1 to June 30, 2023, for domestic users, commercial and industries to assist the people and the business communities in riding through the Post Covid-19 pandemic economic challenges and mitigating the rising cost of living as well as cost of doing business; RM13,136,800 for operation and maintenance of Sarawak Alternatives Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares), a solar off-grid standalone system supplying 24-hour electricity for remote rural communities throughout the State; and RM1,028,400 for operation and maintenance of Tanjung Manis Water Supply (TMWS).
“A total sum of RM134,000,000 is required by the Department of the Premier of Sarawak, such as RM116,000,000 for review of rental for air-charter services and increase in utilisation due to increase in government activities; and RM18,000,000 for appropriation to State Celebration Trust Fund to cater for expenditure in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of Sarawak Independence.
“A total sum of RM20,000,000 is required by the State Financial Secretary’s Office as financial assistance from the state to cover the operation cost of the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) to enable the ‘rakyat’ enjoy free internet broadband services in rural areas throughout Sarawak,” Uggah said.
In addition, the Bill also sought approval for an additional expenditure of RM500,000,000, of which RM400,000,000 is provision for the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) to keep hold its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of a minimum 10 per cent and hence, facilitating the funding of various government strategic projects and initiatives under various regional development agencies and other implementing agencies; and RM100,000,000 for the implementation of various ongoing Projek Rakyat throughout the region.
Earlier, the Bill was seconded by the Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Sarawak minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah. — DayakDaily
