KOTA KINABALU – With Putrajaya expected to reduce development spending to focus more on fighting Covid-19 in Budget 2021, the Sabah government hopes to still get what is long due to them – especially better internet service and fair revenue entitlement.
Several state leaders expressed hope that the federal government will give more attention to deficiencies in amenities, road conditions, civil infrastructure and socio-economic well-being.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam said the focus should be on rural areas, especially for internet, education, and health.
He said poor internet coverage is preventing growth, especially for those living in rural areas.
Gunsalam said thousands in Sabah’s rural areas were left behind in many areas such as education and business.
“Without internet access, how are the students going to study? This is a form of social injustice against Sabahans,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan agreed, calling for a technology and digital driven “halatuju” (direction) for the state.
He said internet access was vital to help Sabah deal with the fourth industrial revolution, and that infrastructure was needed to stimulate not only the conventional market but also others like online trading, social media, and online retail.
Both Joachim, who is from PBS and Jeffrey, who leads Star, said the state will continue to pursue its rights to more development funds.
“The state government will continue to pursue the state’s financial rights under the Federal Constitution’s Tenth Schedule Article 112C, which states that Sabah is entitled to 40% net revenue from revenues derived by the federal government from Sabah,” said Jeffrey.
Under the former Pakatan Harapan federal government, Sabah had received RM53.4 million – double the allocation given by the preceding administration.
The PH administration had promised that the figure would be doubled again over the next five years.
However, with the takeover of Putrajaya by Perikatan Nasional in March this year, Sabah’s leadership has not been reassured of this by the current government.
Jeffrey, who is also the state agriculture and food industry minister, said that proceeds from the petroleum sales tax, expected at around RM800 million annually, and foreign investments can help finance Sabah’s strategic planning.
Improved access to online learning needed
Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fat said both federal and state authorities must focus on increasing internet coverage to improve the economy and education system.
“With better internet connection and coverage, we can not only trade products, but also provide services (online),” he said.
The DAP representative said internet access was important for youth to attend online classes, as many of them were now grounded due to Covid-19.
Tan said that many Sabah schools were in poor physical condition, and the federal government could save money by enhancing online learning instead of building new schools.
He said there were over 590 schools in Sabah in dilapidated condition that needed billions of ringgit for their repairs.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is scheduled to table the budget tomorrow afternoon. – The Vibes, November 5, 2020
