KUCHING: The state’s Finance and Economic Planning Ministry lambasted Finance Minister Lim Guan over his claim that Sarawak would go bust in three years if it continued to be ruled by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Describing Lim’s claim as “totally misleading and politically motivated”, the ministry reminded it is incumbent upon the federal Minister of Finance to be careful and responsible when speaking as his statements could reveal the health of nation’s economy.
In a press release yesterday, the ministry said the state government has always been disciplined and responsible in its financial management.
“The state government will continue to strengthen its financial management with good practices, strict financial discipline and prudence at all times.
“We will always ensure that the state government has the capacity and ability to finance any plan or commitment undertaken for the benefit of the people of Sarawak,” said the ministry.
On the state’s achievement, the ministry highlighted that the Auditor-General of Malaysia had given glowing reports of Sarawak’s financial health for the past 17 consecutive years.
In fact, the international rating agencies Moody’s, and Standard and Poor’s had also reaffirmed the state’s commendable investment credit rating at A3 and A-, respectively.
“These achievements are clear testimonies of the state’s continuous sound financial management in exercising financial prudence and financial discipline at all levels,” it stated.
It revealed that Sarawak’s continuous budget surpluses have enabled the state to build up its reserves of RM30,304 billion.
According to the data, the state recorded budget surpluses from RM3,051.3 million in 2014 to RM966.1 million in 2015, RM346.2 million in 2016, RM1,053 million in 2017 and RM110 million last year.
In respond to Lim who had called upon Sarawakians to vote out GPS as the party had sabotaged the efforts to restore MA63, the ministry clarified that the negotiation is still going on, and it wondered if Lim’s statement reflected PH’s stand of not supporting the effort.
“On the effort to restore the rights and status of Sabah and Sarawak under MA63, the negotiation is progressing.
“Does it mean that Lim’s statement reflects the PH federal government’s stand of not willing to restore the equal status?” the ministry asked.
On Friday, speaking at a DAP fundraising dinner, here, Lim said the state’s RM31 billion reserves would be used up and the state would be bankrupt in three years if it kept up with its annual budget of RM11 billion.
