KUCHING, Oct 11: The National Budget 2020 is a progressive budget aimed at boosting the economic growth and preparing the nation for the digital era as the world phases into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0).
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak vice-chairman Voon Shiak Ni viewed that Budget 2020, announced by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today, was a people’s budget with the federal government investing more to improve the social and well being of the people.
“Allocation for subsidies and social aid will be increased to RM24.2 billion, including RM5 billion for Cost of Living Aid (BSH) to be expanded so that it covers 1.1 million unmarried individuals above 40 who earn less than RM2,000 per month,” she said in a statement today.
“In addition, the government also allocates RM210 million to expedite digital infrastructure in schools, reducing broadband prices by 49 per cent and increasing the speeds by three times,” she added.
Voon also described the budget as Sabah and Sarawak first’s budget which demonstrated the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government’s commitment to deliver better development budget for the two Borneo states.
For the first time in 50 years, she pointed out that the federal government will double the Special Grant to RM53.4 million for Sabah and RM32 million for Sarawak in 2020 while they also intend to double the rate again to RM106.8 million for Sabah and RM64 million for Sarawak within five year.
“And one of the main thrusts of Budget 2020 is that Sabah and Sarawak will get the biggest share of developmental expenditure, at RM5.2 billion and RM4.4 billion respectively,” she said.
“Schools in Sabah and Sarawak is also given emphasis with allocation of RM783 million to restore dilapidated schools,” she added.
Other goodies for the Borneo states in 2020, Voon elaborated include allocations for rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak, priority on rural electricity and RM470 million allocation for for Sabah dan Sarawak to attain 99 per cent access to clean water supply.
“It is progressive budget and a stimulus to the economic growth of the nation,” she reiterated.— DayakDaily
