KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor described Budget 2024 as a 'People's Budget' as it places the interests of the people as its top priority.
He said the essence of Budget 2024 clearly demonstrates the Unity Government's commitment to reducing poverty and narrowing the income gap in the country.
"Cost of living controls and income enhancement, especially for low and middle-income groups, are the focus of Budget 2024. This is what I mean by a people's budget," he said.
Earlier, he witnessed the presentation of the budget by Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with state Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, via a live broadcast from the Dewan Rakyat at his office in Menara Kinabalu.
Hajiji said the development allocation for Sabah which amounts to RM6.6 billion is a manifestation of the Unity Government's support in balancing development among the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak regions.
He said the increase in next year's allocation by RM100 million is also part of the Federal Government's efforts to fulfil the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
"The Sabah Government welcomes and appreciates this allocation and is determined to use it as inspiration when we present the Sabah State Budget for 2024 in the near future," he said.
He said, the essence of the Madani Budget 2024 will be taken into account and adjusted to the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Blueprint through the Sabah State Budget for 2024.
Hajiji said the second budget presented by Anwar since taking over the administration on November 24, 2022, clearly shows the importance of the Borneo region in the country's development, with Sarawak also receiving an allocation of RM5.8 billion.
He said the better and more progressive fiscal policy introduced through the Budget will have a significant impact on Sabah's efforts to develop its economy and attract foreign investment.
"We see the policy introduced through Budget 2024 as highly inclusive, taking into account the global economic conditions," he said.
He said Sabah will continue to strengthen its growth to promote trade and investment. So far, Sabah's trade has recorded its highest ever, jumping to RM118.1 billion in 2022, compared to only RM87.2 billion in the previous year.
He said in the past three years, the State Government has managed to attract more than RM33 billion in investments, in addition to the highest-ever revenue collection of RM7 billion.
Hajiji also envisioned that the Sabah 2024 Budget will be people-centric because that is what he has been advocating for since taking over the state leadership three years ago. - The Vibes, October 13, 2023
