KUCHING: Sarawak will get an allocation of RM5.9 billion under the 2025 Malaysia Madani Budget.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the national budget at the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 18), said that the Madani government is fulfilling the agreements made by previous leaders regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Thus, it should not be disputed that special attention is being given to Sabah and Sarawak. The development gap between states needs to be narrowed, especially concerning basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, and clean water.
“Therefore development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak continue to be prioritised, and are the highest among states, with RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion allocated respectively,” he said.
Anwar also said that the Special Grant for Sarawak has never been reviewed since 1969.
“Under the Madani government, this year we have increased the rate to RM300 million compared to RM16 million (for Sarawak) and RM125.6 million (for Sabah).
“Starting in 2025, the government plans to double the Special Grant for Sarawak and Sabah to RM600 million,” said Anwar.
Regarding Pan Borneo Highway project, Anwar said the Pan Borneo Sarawak project is expected to be completed in November 2024.
“A total of 17 work packages for Pan Borneo Sabah Phase 1B have been issued with Sales and Service Tax (SST) at a contract value of RM9.7 billion.
“These cover the routes from Kota Belud to Kudat; Tawau to Kampung Lot M and Telupid to Ranau.
“Overall, the Pan Borneo projects in Sarawak and Sabah have incurred a cost of RM25.1 billion,” said Anwar.
He added the government has finalised four work packages for the Sabah Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2, worth RM7.4 billion which two packages have been awarded, with the remaining packages to be awarded before the end of the year.
“The government has also agreed to implement the expansion of Tawau Airport in Sabah and Miri Airport in Sarawak at a cost of RM253 million.
“The federal government and Sarawak are collaborating to develop the Sarawak Cancer Centre, estimated to cost RM1 billion. I commend Sarawak for being proactive in advancing the financing for the construction of this project,” he said.
