KUCHING: Sarawak under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government is able to stand on its own including managing financial resources, said Lo Khere Chiang.
Sarawak could not fully rely on the 2021 Budget allocation provided by the federal government, said Batu Kitang assemblyman.
“Because every year, I feel disappointed after the presentation of the Budget as the allocations channelled to this state is very small.
“Such as yesterday (Friday), the presentation of the 2021 Budget only sees RM4.5 billion being allocated to Sarawak,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters at the compound of Masjid Darul Ehsan in Kampung Haji Baki, here today.
However, Lo was confident that Sarawak, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, would continue to acquire more financial resources in the coming years.
“Abang Johari is very wise in the financial management of the state. For example, imposing a state sales tax (SST) on Sarawak’s oil and gas resources which is charged at 5 percent.
“With this, Sarawak is able to earn about RM3 billion every year and it is one of the additional financial resources to the state,” he explained.
He explained that apart from imposing the SST, Sarawak also earned its income through the methanol plant located in Bintulu.
“This is one of the high incomes generated by Sarawak and it is also able to provide employment opportunities to the community.
“Although we receive a small allocation from the federal government, Abang Johari is good at finding money (wise in obtaining financial resources) for Sarawak,” he said.
For the record, the presentation of the 2021 Budget on Friday (Nov 6) saw the announcement of Sarawak receiving an allocation of RM4.5 billion for 781 projects compared to 619 projects in 2020, making the state one of the largest recipients for development projects.
