KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Star has expressed disappointment that rights to 40% of the net revenue derived from the state by the federal government is still denied in the national budget.
Party president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said Budget 2022 tabled yesterday made no mention of special financial provisions for Sabah.
“There were also no provisions for other payments such as the 10% tax on oil or the 10% import duty on petroleum products other than the RM120 million,” he said in a statement here today.
Jeffrey, who is also the deputy chief minister II, said while the allocation for development funds for Sabah has been increased to RM5.2 million, it is insufficient and unfair.
“It could have been at least RM10 billion in view of the need to stimulate the Borneo economy to match Indonesia’s aggressive spending in Kalimantan.”
However, he acknowledged that the budget is inclusive and comprehensive, taking into account the welfare of the people, in line with the Keluarga Malaysia vision.
Jeffrey said he is aware that the primary goal of the budget is to stimulate the economy, which has been devastated by the pandemic, and business activities.
“Overall, it is a good budget because it focuses on underdeveloped areas, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. But it could have been a lot better.” – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
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