KOTA KINABALU – Sabah today passed the second supplementary Supply (2020) Bill, approving an additional RM709,644,230 to cover expenses for the final quarter of 2020.
Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor said half of the funds would go to assistance packages to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic, with the rest to spur a local economy badly affected by the pandemic.
He said the funding is important to ensure the running of the state government machinery, treated water supplies, and repairs to irrigation and drainage systems.
Hajiji said RM34.36 million will go to the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry to make use of the economic potential of agrofood, RM20 million will go to the civil service to expedite its transition to a digital economy, and RM15 million will go to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry for Sabah’s tourism sector's recovery.
Some RM10 million will go to the Human Resources Ministry, while RM10 million will go to the Industrial Development Ministry to start an e-commerce platform. RM3.5 million will go to the Rural Development Ministry to settle the final payments of Covid-19 cash aid to heads of families, and RM8 million will go to the finance minister to top up the funds for zero-interest loans to agrofood entrepreneurs.
The largest portion of the cash flow goes to the Chief Minister's Department, with RM169,872,106 to cover Covid-19 aid packages (RM135 million) and RM153,500,000 to the treasury, with RM94 million allocated to cover the cost arising from Covid-19 expenses; and RM25 million for Covid-19 care package.
“A total of RM94,921,267 will go to Sabah's Local and Government Ministry, including to pay RM53.72 million to local governments and district councils for the loss of revenue from the 20% discount on assessment rates and trading licence exemptions for 2020,” he said.
Hajiji said an allocation of RM26,033,315 will be made to improve drainage and irrigation system and riverbank reinforcement structures and others, while RM22,470,877 will be for the repairs of slopes, sea wall, roads, bridges, maintenance of government buildings and others. RM14,797,840 will go the State Water Department.
Meanwhile, the Youth and Sports Ministry will receive RM9,077,869; RM3,655,500 will go to the Rural Development Ministry, RM3,465,000 goes to the Welfare Department, Native Affairs Department will receive RM2,452 million; and Science, Technology and Innovation gets RM2.2 million, with RM11.9 million for government operational expenditures.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government is expected to table the 2021 state budget in December. – The Vibes, November 16, 2020
