Sabah announces RM4.3 bil state budget

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah today unveiled a surplus state Budget 2021 amounting to RM4.303 billion despite its battered economy.

Announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor today, it is the first budget by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government at the state legislative assembly, themed “People Prosperity, Sustainable Economy”.

Hajiji, who is also state finance minister, said the estimated revenue collection for Sabah next year will be RM4.481 billion.

“There is a surplus budget of RM178.7 million to ensure the state finances remain stable.”

Hajiji said this in the first, second, and third reading of the state budget 2021.

On the allocation, he added that RM1.747 billion has been allocated to the state Finance Ministry with an additional development budget of RM5.8 million.  

The state Works Ministry will be allocated RM762 million, with an additional development budget of RM233.69 million.

RM471.68 milion will be allocated to the chief minister's Department, with an additional RM169.64 million development budget.

The state Agricultural and Fisheries Ministry will be allocated RM324.59 million with RM102.49 million for development budget.

State Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will get RM207.65 million and additional RM9.12 million for development.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry will get RM 113.34 million with an additional RM 17.02 million development budget.

State Community and People Wellbeing Ministry will get a RM122.4 million budget and RM10.33 million development budget.

State Rural and Regional Development Ministry will get RM99.95 million and additional RM125. 25 million development budget.

State Youth and Sports Ministry will get RM91.6 million with a RM15.1 million development budget.

State Local Government and Housing Ministry will get RM120.56 million with an additional RM11.85 million development budget.

State industrial Development Budget will get RM16.97 million with a development budget RM32.56 million.

The source of the Budget will be from the special federal allocation of RM5.1 billion, state revenue collection from taxes and other sources.

The state estimated revenue collection will increase by 7% or RM289.54 million compared to the current year’s estimate of RM4.194 billion, despite all sectors being affected by the pandemic.

“The increase in revenue in 2021 will come from a new source, or from sales tax – RM2.22 billion or 50% from the overall revenue – while non-tax revenue stands at RM1.805 billion or 40%.” – The Vibes, December 18, 2020