SARAWAK has registered a revenue of RM11.9 billion for 2022, the highest ever achieved by the state.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said the figure had surpassed its projected revenue of RM10.2 billion by 17%.

He said Sarawak’s revenue comprised four main categories – taxes, non-tax income, non-revenue receipts and federal grants and reimbursements.

He said taxes contributed RM6.7 billion or 56% of the total revenue.

“Under the tax revenue category, state sales tax (SST) contributed RM5.6 billion or 84% of the total taxes collected,” he told a press conference at the state assembly building in Kuching today.

“The taxable products under SST, among others, were oil and gas products, oil palm products and aluminium.

“The improved performance in SST collection was due to higher market prices for oil and gas products and oil palm products.”

Abang Johari said the Sarawak government will continue to look into various initiatives to increase the state’s revenue through enhancing, widening and diversifying its revenue sources.

He said the state government has decided to continue extending the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang on electricity bill discounts of 5-25% for domestic and commercial users and industries for the first six months of this year.

He said the initiative will involve a sum of RM200 million. – Bernama, February 2, 2023.