KUCHING: Sarawak has collected its highest revenue in history for the year 2022, surpassing its initial projection from RM10.2bil to RM11.9bil.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s actual revenue performance for the financial year 2022 surpassed its projected revenue by 17 per cent.
Four categories contributed to the state’s revenue, namely tax revenue, non-tax revenue, non-revenue receipts, and federal grants and reimbursements.
New Sarawak Tribune asked several members of the public for their thoughts on the matter.
AFIQAH ABDULLAH, 25, PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEE
It is great to see the Sarawak surpass its projected revenue and also achieve the highest revenue performance to date. I believe that the Sarawak government is capable of handling issues and will continue to improve as well as achieve more great things in the future.
CAROLINE OCTAVIA GERUNA, 27, ENTREPRENEUR
It is such good news to hear that Sarawak has recorded the highest revenue performance, meaning that there is a tremendous amount of development happening. This will make Sarawak grow and hopefully provide more opportunities to job seekers. Rapid development also attracts tourists and I think it’s giving a big impact on our socioeconomy, especially tourism industry.
DOLIK SEMBONG, 65, PENGHULU
With Sarawak recording about RM11.9bil in revenue, the state government can focus on education by building more primary and secondary schools, especially in rural areas. Also, to develop rural areas with electricity, clean water supply and good roads. I also hope with this revenue, there will be more telecommunication towers in rural areas so that rural folk have access to better internet coverage.
SHAFIQAH SHAJARI, 24, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
With such high revenue recorded, I hope that there will be more development, especially in rural areas which can be further improved. This also goes to show that through this announcement, it will be able to benefit the people, especially with the state government’s efforts in diversifying its revenue sources in order to be a high-income state by 2030.
