KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has sought an explanation from the federal government on its decisions to grant Sabah and Sarawak loans instead of grants for water supply planning, unlike what was done for peninsular states.
In Parliament today, Tangau (Tuaran-PH) said an explanation should be given on how grants and loans are determined in the provision of such funding.
During the debate for the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry at the committee level, Tangau pointed out that Sabah was allocated an RM159,958,000 loan for water supply planning, while RM140,792,300 was loaned to Sarawak.
“Other states have been given grants together with loans. For instance, Johor RM84,059,000; Kedah a RM102,000,000 grant and RM45,000,000 loan; Melaka a RM53,050,000 grant; Kelantan a RM8,100,00 grant and RM2,147,000 loan; and Negri Sembilan a RM22,963,900 grant,” he said.
“Other states such as Pahang also received an RM20,200,000 grant and RM25,320,000 loan; Perak RM450,000; Terengganu a RM8,100,000 loan; Labuan a RM38,723,100 grant; and Perlis a RM129,200 grant and RM18 million loan.”
Tangau also sought an explanation as to why the federal development allocation was made in the form of a loan, adding that the funds loaned out belonged to the respective states. – The Vibes, March 16, 2023
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