Sabah approves budget, public works gets lion’s share of RM833 mil

KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah assembly has approved the supplementary 2023 Supply Bill today, authorising an additional expenditure of RM833,019,462 to address financial needs for the last quarter of the year.

The bill was presented by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and subsequently endorsed following thorough discussions at both the policy and committee levels.

Masidi, while presenting the bill, highlighted that a substantial portion of the allocated funds would be directed towards promptly resolving the state’s pressing water-related challenges.

"The most substantial allocation, totaling RM149.36 million or 47.6%, is designated for the Sabah Works Ministry to fund ongoing projects. 

“Out of this, RM65 million is allocated for financing the federal loan water supply project, whereas RM84.36 million originates from the state fund,” he said.

“The second-largest allocation, amounting to RM98.2 million, is directed to the Sabah Rural Development Ministry as part of the special allocation. Concurrently, RM29.77 million is designated for the Chief Minister’s Department, addressing purposes like land acquisition compensation, the Libaran Islamic centre, special development initiatives, and additional support for the Sabah Land Development Board,” he said when tabling the supplementary bill during the ongoing state assembly sitting here today.

Additionally, RM13.32 million is set aside for the Sabah Industrial and Entrepreneurial Development Ministry. Among this sum, RM1.5 million is allocated through federal loans, with the remaining RM11.82 million drawn from the state fund, aimed at financing diverse development undertakings. 

Conveying these details during the ongoing state assembly sitting, Masidi elaborated that a total of RM139.09 million or 16.69% is dedicated to immediate solutions for water-related challenges. Moreover, RM138.54 million or 16.63% is allocated for various operational expenses.

He said these encompass the State Government Scholarship Sponsorship Programme worth RM46 million, maintenance of urban and town drainage systems amounting to RM19.78 million, logistic transportation services budgeted at RM16 million, procurement of vehicles and machinery across several ministries and departments with a total allocation of RM10 million, maintenance of railway tracks amounting to RM3.89 million, and upkeep of sewerage systems with an allocation of RM1.6 million. 

Other allocations for relevant ministries

The remainder of operational expenses, amounting to RM41.27 million, is allocated to other ministries and departments.

Furthermore, an allocation of RM12.65 million is directed to the Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry Ministry. 

Of this, RM8.52 million is drawn from the state fund to support projects of the Irrigation and Drainage Department and Sabah Agriculture Department. 

An additional RM4.13 million is provided through federal repayment financing, designated for the pig farming project and construction of a veterinary laboratory.

In a related allocation, the Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry will receive RM5 million from the state fund, intended for the construction and maintenance of Sabah’s sports complexes, youth arena construction, and multipurpose sports arena upgrading across various districts. 

Concurrently, RM4.36 million is allocated to the Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry, directed towards supporting projects concerning sabah park development, tourism asset development, wildlife department initiatives, and the sabah museum. – The Vibes. 

Masidi also highlighted that the Sabah Finance Ministry will receive an additional allocation of RM617.4 thousand through capital contribution financing, to support the utilities installation project under the Irrigation and Drainage Department.

“Furthermore, RM500,000 is assigned to the Sabah Community Development and People’s Well-being Ministry, specifically for the repair of men’s and women’s hostel buildings at the PWD Training and Rehabilitation Complex in Kimanis.

“Lastly, an added allocation of RM281.46 thousand is apportioned to the Sabah Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry, intended for the Science and Technology Development Centre and research programme,” he said.

Over ten assemblymen debated the bill, including opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang-Warisan), Datuk Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian-Upko) and Datuk Frankie Poon (Tanjung Papat-DAP).

Most of the state assembly representatives have expressed their views that the water crisis needs to be addressed. – The Vibes, August 8, 2023