ANIFAH Aman (Independent-Kimanis) wants the government to explain how the budget allocated for Sabah will enhance the state’s economy.

He highlighted several problems that the state is currently facing, which include an increase in unemployment among youths and the generational poverty among rubber tappers and small-scale farmers.

Anifah said the unemployment rate among youths aged 15-24 is 13.5% which is the highest in the country.

“I would like to ask the economic affairs minister and finance minister, how would the allocation for Sabah which is RM5 billion have an impact on the state’s economic development.

“And to the youth and sports minister, what is the government’s plan to overcome the unemployment issue in Sabah especially among youths,” he said during the debate on the budget in Dewan Rakyat today.

Anifah said ministers visiting Sabah and Sarawak should go to poor, rural areas instead of staying only in cities like Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

The old way of governing the country is no longer applicable, he added.

“I am confident that the country won’t benefit if the blame game continues, and if they keep bringing up the past.”

He also asked when the oil royalty issue will be resolved, and highlighted the low household income in the Borneo states compared with the peninsula.

“What is the government’s plan to increase the household income in Sabah and Sarawak, so that it is on a par with the states in the peninsula?” – November 15, 2018.