MIRI – Sarawak was allocated not only RM5.6 billion from the new federal budget, but also additional funds for numerous other projects and the overall betterment of the state, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf.
He said today that politicians in Sarawak complaining that the state was not getting a better deal than Sabah were merely harping on rhetoric.
Speaking at a function in Matang near Kuching, Fadillah said the RM5.6 billion budget allocated for the state for the current year, is a one billion ringgit increase compared to the budget for the previous year.
“Those who continue to harp on rhetoric that Sarawak did not get a better deal than Sabah must understand that the RM5.6 billion is only the direct special allocation to the state.
“The federal government is also giving funds aside from the RM5.6 billion to among others, pay civil servants in Sarawak such as teachers, policemen, soldiers and other enforcement agencies as well as finance other ministerial projects.
“Sarawak is actually getting much more than just the RM5.6 billion.
“If harping on rhetoric, then it is never ever enough, since every other state will also say what they got is not enough,” he stressed.
The allocation of RM5.6 billion for Sarawak from Budget 2023 had earlier generated a not-so-hearty response from several Sarawak politicians.
State Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party president, had told reporters that though there was an increase in the budget figure for Sarawak, the impact is still uncertain.
Opposition Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan had said the amount of RM5.6 billion for Sarawak was disappointing.
“Sabah always gets more than Sarawak in every national budget although Sarawak gives more oil revenue each year to the national income compared to Sabah.”
Voon said the slight increase in the new budget for Sarawak compared to the last one will not bring much cheer to the state. – The Vibes, March 4, 2023
