SARAWAK has enough funds to implement all the projects listed in its 2020 budget and also its Sarawakku Sayang aid programme to address the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, deputy chief minister Douglas Uggah told the state assembly in its one-day sitting today.

Funding for the projects and the aid package are from the contingency fund, microcredit schemes of the 2020 development budget, savings from unimplemented projects and from development fund account and utilising the RM1 billion special relief fund from Bank Negara.

Uggah was responding to former state second finance minister, Wong Soon Koh, the Bawang Assan assemblyman, who questioned where the RM2.55 billion would come from for its three financial assistance packages.

Wong held the post for 15 years until he resigned from the cabinet after his party, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), was accused of undermining the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition by poaching members from other parties.

Wong said last week the state government faces “enormous funding gaps” in its state budget due to the sharp drop in oil price and the dispute with Petronas over the state sales tax on petroleum products.

He also said there is no provision for any contingency fund, “let alone one which can pay for the aid packages of RM2.2664 billion”.

Uggah said Wong is “out of touch” despite having served 15 years with the state and with knowledge of its financial mechanisms. – May 11, 2020.