MIRI – Putrajaya has allocated huge budget allocations for Sarawak, but will the money reach the correct groups and benefit the grassroots in this state, especially those living in the vast interior?
This question is on the mind of ordinary folk in rural Sarawak who are accustomed to hearing of big sums of money, but often do not see the full benefits.
The Society for Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak (Scrips) ground coordinator for northern Sarawak, Michael Ding, told The Vibes that there were big sums of money announced in yesterday’s Budget 2024, with Sarawak supposedly to receive huge amounts too.
“The national budget as announced (by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) contains billions and billions, with Sarawak getting plenty.
“There was an announcement of RM5.8 billion for Sarawak (direct grants from Putrajaya to Sarawak state government). This is the largest sum so far.
“There was also an announcement of RM 11.8 billion for flood mitigation projects, RM2.8 billion for repair of federal roads and bridges, RM400 million to support food security schemes, as well as billions specifically for each of the ministries.
“The question we the rural folks in Sarawak are concerned about is whether these billions will benefit us.
“Will our longhouses be flooded six times a year as usual or will the huge budget money as announced help solve our flood problems?
“Our horrendous rural roads, rotting bridges, dilapidated clinics and run-down schools in Sarawak... will we see real improvement in Sarawak after this new budget announcement?” he asked.
Ding said that in principle, Putrajaya has been fair to Sarawak in terms of monetary allocations and attention.
“In terms of direct annual grants, this is the largest amount so far from Putrajaya to the Sarawak government.
“There is also the additional money in annual oil royalties and direct ministerial fundings for projects under each of the ministries in the districts in this state.
“Sarawak is getting a lot, but the question remains... will we the one million plus rural folk see the real benefits?” he stressed.
Ding is a native from the middle of the Sg Tutoh region in the Baram district in interior northern Sarawak.
Scrips is one of the biggest native non-governmental organisations in Sarawak, fighting for the human rights and native customary land rights of indigenous communities. – The Vibes, October 14, 2023
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