KUCHING: Petra Jaya Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof described the State Budget 2019 tabled by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday as creating a history of its own-not only because it set a record as the biggest proposed amount of RM11.9 billion, but it inks history in the context of management and expenditures by the state government for the development of both rural and urban areas comprehensively.
Fadillah who is also former Works Minister when met after attending the second meeting of the third session of the 18th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) which began yesterday opined the budget showed the State Government’s strong commitment to better develop the people.
According to him, the Sarawak Government would take over projects which the previous Federal Government (Barisan Nasional) had committed to implement but could not be fulfilled by the present Federal Government (Pakatan Harapan).
“For example, to repair or rebuild the dilapidated schools which was promised by the previous government with an approved budget of RM1 billion for Sarawak (RM500 million in 2018 and another RM500 million for 2019) now is not a priority by the current federal government.
“Looking at the National Budget 2019, the funds for dilapidated schools in Sarawak are not provided, and now the Sarawak State Government is taking its own initiative, where the allocation of RM200 million will be provided to solve the schools’ problem – for the children and the welfare of the teachers who are teaching in these schools.
“I thank the State Government for their efforts to take over including the basic infrastructure especially the bridges which were promised to Sarawak like the Batang Lupar Bridge and Rambungan Bridge, now they have been taken over by the state government for the benefits of the people to uplift their economy,” he pointed out.
However, the Petra Jaya MP said what worries the State Government is that when the Federal Government sees the efforts of the State Government, Sarawak will continue to be sidelined in terms of allocations.
“If you really look at the National Budget 2019 by the federal government, Sarawak is actually getting less than what has been promised. So, looking at the initiatives made by the State Government, they (Federal Government) take us for granted.
“I hope that the Federal Government looks at the state government’s initiatives as a challenge to them and who knows they will increase the budget for Sarawak for the benefit of the people, like what has been promised in MA63 and according to the law,” he stressed.
Under the National Budget 2019, Sarawak received RM4.36 billion, an increase of RM10 million over the previous national budget.
“If you look at the percentage, it has declined. For example, Sabah is getting RM5 billion and we only get RM4.36 billion and if by percentage, it is far behind compared to what previous government has allocated for Sarawak,” said Fadillah.
