BY AMYRA VARKISA & ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY
The 2023 Sarawak Budget has received mixed reactions from the public.
They pointed out that the budget was biased towards rural development and felt that the planned development could be further expanded.
Most members of the public applauded the budget for enhancing the digital infrastructure and providing job opportunities and assisting young entrepreneurs in their struggles after the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHARMAINE SAMANTHA PHILLIP, 23
Insurance agent
It is good that the budget is rural-development biased. It also highlights all the needed improvements for Sarawak’s future such as enhancing the digital infrastructure and providing platforms to assist young business owners or entrepreneurs and start-ups with their struggles post-pandemic. I hope more initiatives will be implemented in the future. As children are the future of our country, developing human capital by investing in improving their education can lead to greater contributions to our country.
EDWARD JIMONG, 36
Lab assistant
The budget is very useful for future development in the state. The establishment of the Sarawak Coastguard (SCG) and Sarawak Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) caught my attention. The coastguard is important for Sarawak to defend its coast from any dangers and maintain peace for Sarawak.The IBET is to guard the state’s borders against the movement of rabid dogs.
CAROLINE OKTAVIA GERUNA, 26
Entrepreneur
I am very happy to hear such planning as we all know that Sarawak is still lagging behind in terms of development, especially in the rural areas. I am looking forward to the development. The news that caught my attention most is about creating employment and business opportunities. This is good news to the small business owners.
QUADRA JOIRUH, 30
Self-employed
I think the budget should focus more on development in rural areas and economic growth. The allocations that I am looking at are those for the Rural Transformation Programme.
