KUALA LUMPUR – The Bornean states will be getting RM11.7 billion under the Budget 2023, with RM6.3 billion for Sabah and RM5.4 billion for Sarawak.
The allocation is an increase of RM1.9 billion from RM9.8 billion last year.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said during the tabling of the Supply Bill 2023 that the allocation was to improve water and electricity supplies, roads, health and education.
“Sabah and Sarawak will continue to reap the largest share in national development. Each will receive RM6.3 billion and RM5.4 billion, respectively.”
This is part of the RM372.3 billion Budget 2023.
Last year, the two states were allocated a total of RM9.8 billion, with Sabah getting RM5.2 billion and Sarawak RM4.6 billion, respectively.
Additionally, Tengku Zafrul announced an allocation of RM250 million for the expansion of the Sepanggar Bay container port and RM100 million for Phase 3 of the water supply project in Sarawak.
He said the two projects are part of five major programmes to be implemented next year.
Tengku Zafrul said the government has allocated RM420 million for the repairs and replacement of outdated equipment in health facilities in the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.
He added that new health clinics will be built in Penampang, Sabah, and Sepupok, Sarawak as part of a RM1.8 billion allocation set aside for the construction of new hospitals, clinics, and health facilities.
Tengku Zafrul said RM200 million has been allocated to keep the cost of transporting essential goods in rural areas, while RM209 million to subsidise air transport services in Sabah and Sarawak next year.
The basic necessities are rice, cooking oil, liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, and diesel, he said, with 23 new areas to be opened including Kg Passin in Mukah, Sarawak and Kg Tawayari in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
The same allocation was made by the federal government in Budget 2022.
Tengku Zafrul also announced a RM1.2 billion allocation to repair dilapidated schools in the states, with 123 projects in Sabah and 182 schools in Sarawak.
He said the two states will each get one new school from five new schools planned under the budget next year with the allocation of RM430 million.
A portion of the allocation will go to build SMK Nabalu in Sabah and SMK During in Sarawak, he said.
Sarawak would also benefit from the RM188 million allocation for early child education centres, Kemas, with 10 centres to be built in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan; Limbang, Sarawak; and Pasir Putih in Kelantan.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Melaka will get RM180 million to increase local scheduled bus service routes.
At the same time, Tengku Zafrul said wheelchair ramps would also be built at all MASwings facilities in the two states.
Under the development allocation, he said the two Bornean states will benefit from an allocation from the RM16.5 billion for the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway.
“The Sarawak portion of the Pan Borneo Highway will be completed in the nearest time while the construction in Sabah is expected to be completed in 2024.”
Tengku Zafrul also announced the government’s plan to develop border towns, including initiating early construction works on a new road connecting Kalabakan, Sabah to Simanggaris, Indonesia.
The government also plans to develop border towns between Tebedu and Bakelalan, Sarawak and Indonesia, and upgrade the road from Serian-Tebedu, Sarawak to Indonesia’s border. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022
Additional reporting by Rebecca Chong
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