Hardest hit but Sabah not biggest recipient of development budget, say critics  

KOTA KINABALU – Although Sabah is one of the largest recipients of development budget next year, its RM5.06 billion allocation is no different from other states, said a Malaysia Agreement (MA63) activist.  

Under Budget 2021, Sabah will receive RM5.06 billion while Sarawak will get RM4.516 billion as development budget.

Meanwhile, the states in Peninsular Malaysia will get a total allocation of around RM60 billion.  

MA63 activist Zainnal Ajamain told The Vibes the distribution is unfair for Sabah because the state is the worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. It also has the highest number of polio, dengue and tuberculosis cases, and holds the record as the poorest state in the country.  

He said the sum allotted to Sabah should at least be equitable, especially in view of the wealth Putrajaya has accumulated from the sale and use of the state’s natural resources.  

“They (Putrajaya) are aware that we are hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, yes? Even the doctor to patient ratio is bad in Sabah.

“In Kuala Lumpur, the ratio is one doctor to 200 patients, while in Sabah is one doctor to 800 patients.  

“Not to mention the logistical nightmare, dilapidated schools, and the lack of treated water and electricity supply. They are just the worst.”  

Zainnal said Putrajaya has continued to treat Sabah like a “stepchild”, adding that the central government has breached the federal constitution when Sabah’s special grant was left unmentioned.  

When told Sabah would enjoy other benefits from Budget 2021 allocation made out in other fields, Zainnal said other states also enjoy the same.  

Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia and the third most populous in the country with close to four million people.  

Meanwhile, PKR supreme council member Raymond Ahuar said Putrajaya has continued to downgrade Sabah to one of the states in Malaysia, instead of one of three partners in the federation.  

“The allocation distribution should be equal and divided into three – Sabah gets 25%, Sarawak 25% and Peninsular Malaysia 50%,” he said. – The Vibes, November 10, 2020