KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced RM6.5 billion and RM5.6 billion would be channelled to Sabah and Sarawak respectively for public infrastructure development projects in the two states.
He said this when tabling the revised Budget 2023 in Parliament.
The allocation includes RM1 billion to upgrade the infrastructure and increase the capability of the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Complex at Sarawak and Sabah borders.
Apart from that, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said RM2.5 billion would be provided for the execution of public infrastructure development projects in the two states, such as road projects, street lights as well as water and electric supply.
“The construction of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway and Sarawak-Sabah Link Road ranging more than 1,000 km will be expedited as well,” he said.
He added that there would be an allocation of RM50 million for Sabah and Sarawak state governments to expedite federal projects as well.
The allocation for Sabah and Sarawak under the Unity Government showed a slight increase of RM400 million. In the previous Budget 2023 (before the 15th General Election) which was tabled last year, Sarawak was allocated RM5.4 million while Sabah RM6.3 billion.
Apart from that, the revised budget has allocated RM209 million for air travel subsidy for rural Sabah and Sarawak as Rural Air Services (RAS) remain as the main form of transportation for many interior areas in the two states.
“The allocation includes providing wheelchair ramp facilities at seven airports in Sabah and Sarawak to benefit thousands wheelchair-bound passengers who are using MASwings,” added Anwar.
