MIRI – Despite the RM4.6 billion allocation to Sarawak under Budget 2022, the state – as well as Sabah – still requires much more funds for social and economic developments, observed Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian.
Although he is glad that there is an increase in funds for Sarawak, he noted that both states remain lagging behind those in Peninsular Malaysia.
“In fact, Sabah and Sarawak should get more – but there are also many positive news from this budget in terms of development of rural roads, subsidies for rural flights, more mobile banking facilities for rural districts, and the repair of schools.
“Due to the ongoing pandemic that our country has been in over the past two years, there are limited national funds available. However, the needs of Sabah and Sarawak must be addressed so that we can catch up with the rest of the country,” he said in a press statement.
Jaziri said he hopes to see greater focus on opening up the Sarawak-Kalimantan border as Indonesia is moving its federal capital to Kalimantan, leaving Sarawak in a prime position to take advantage of the situation.
The Dewan Negara member said it is good to see Putrajaya giving top priority to education, vocational training, and skill development.
This can be seen by the RM52.6 billion for education sectors – including RM14.5 billion for higher education, with another RM120 million to be used for development funds in 1,800 Chinese and Tamil schools.
Jaziri said three million students in the B40 group will also benefit from the proposed RM150 cash incentive.
“What is more interesting is the RM746 million allocated to upgrade impoverished schools – and the largest number is in Sarawak, involving 165 projects. This is really helpful because we are well aware of the poor condition of schools in Sarawak’s rural areas,” said Jaziri. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
