MIRI: Sarawak’s Budget 2023 allocation has been described as a mere drop by a disappointed Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
This is despite the fact that the RM5.6 billion is an increase from the RM4.6 billion provided for under the previous budget, said its secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting in a statement on Sunday.
“Although the amount of funding has increased, it is only a drop in the bucket for the development needs of Sarawak,” he said.
“If we look at the development needs of rural areas, especially roads, water and electricity supply, communication and medical care, the allocation of RM 5.6 billion in general is insignificant.
“This is why the federal government must continue to assist and pay attention to the development of Sarawak.”
He added that when allocating development funds in the annual budget, it must also continue to support the development agenda of Sarawak through other methods and channels, so as to narrow the development gap between East Malaysia and West Malaysia.
“Overall, it is still early to comment how much Sarawak can benefit from Budget 2023 because we have not seen the details on how much the allocations are for the different current projects and future new projects,” he said.
On another note, Ting welcomed the Prime Minister’s assurance that the federal government is committed to continue implementing the Sarawak and Sabah Pan Borneo Highway and Sarawak-Sabah Link Road because they are very important infrastructure projects and key to the future development of Sarawak.
“We hope the federal government will do everything in its power to ensure these projects will be completed as soon as possible to drive economic development in both urban and rural areas, and especially to improve the lives of people in rural areas,” he said.
