Sabah will not pop the champagne yet despite RM5 billion allocation

Jason Santos Jason Santos Updated 7 years ago · Published on 2 Nov 2018 9:33PM · 4 Comments

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal says he did not expect such a large allocation for Sabah in Budget 2019. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 2, 2018.

A CAUTIOUS Shafie Apdal wants to see the breakdown of the RM5 billion Budget 2019 allocation for Sabah before making his views known on the larger allocation for next year.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, in his Budget 2019 speech today, announced an allocation of RM5.009 billion for Sabah next year, an increase from RM4.13 billion allocated this year.

The Sabah chief minister, however, said his government wanted to know specific details of the allocation.

“We only know the total allocation so far, but not what it will be used for,” said Shafie, adding that he did not expect such an amount.

“Sabah needs a lot of funding, but we understand the federal government has a huge debt to pay.

“It is my hope that Putrajaya will give more attention to security, education and health in the state,” Shafie said.

He also hoped to use the additional funds to build roads, provide proper water and electricity supply and boost health facilities in the state.

“It is not just the quality of medicine but also hospitals and doctors,” he said.

Shafie said there were good points in Budget 2019, especially in the tourism sector, where Putrajaya will return 50% of revenue back to states that promote tourism. 

“If Putrajaya collects RM50 million from tourism, RM25 million will be given to the states. If the collection is higher, it will mean the state will get more,” said Shafie.

On security, Shafie hoped Putrajaya would help beef up the Eastern Sabah Security Zone.

“There should also be a reduction in the levy of foreign workers in the plantation sector, which is the backbone of the state’s economy. 

“A reduction in levy will help companies and smallholders yield more income.” – November 2, 2018.

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Comments

  • Aisay. How can Shafie Apdal pop champagne. Haram lah

    Posted 7 years ago by Arshad Lazim · Reply

  • Champagne is an alcoholic drink to get drunk on?..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • There are non alcohol champagne... Morons

    Posted 7 years ago by Red Devil · Reply

    • Oxy moron

      Posted 7 years ago by Arshad Lazim · Reply