KOTA KINABALU: Budget 2027 underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to continuing to prioritise infrastructure and socio-economic development in Sabah’s interior, said Pensiangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said this commitment was also reflected in the largest-ever Federal allocation of RM18.7 billion for Sabah, the increase in the interim special grant to RM1.5 billion this year, and efforts to expedite the resolution of issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Arthur, who is also Sook Assemblyman, said as a representative of an interior constituency, he also wanted priority to be given to developing connectivity networks and basic infrastructure, which were among the most important needs of the people in the area.
“Hence, the RM3.3 billion allocation for road projects in Sabah and Sarawak, particularly the targeted completion of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road 1 and Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1B by the end of next year, will have a significant impact on people’s mobility and local economic activities.
“The RM350 million allocation for Federal road maintenance, specifically for local contractors in Classes G1 to G4 in Sabah and Sarawak, will not only expedite public road repairs but also support small-scale entrepreneurs,” he said.
Arthur said the Government was also committed to reducing the cost of living for rural residents by expanding the distribution of essential goods to new locations, such as Kampung Terian in Penampang and Kampung Sarawak, to ensure that daily necessities remained affordable.
Security and administrative services in the interior would also be strengthened through the construction of a new Immigration Office in Keningau, the provision of quarters at the Papar Immigration Detention Depot, and initiatives to stabilise electricity supply through the implementation of the Statcom system and the Southern Link Transmission Line, he said.
He said the appointment of a permanent Sabah representative to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), together with the transfer of gas regulatory powers supported by RM600 million in funding, was significant in strengthening the State’s economy.
On human capital development, he welcomed the decision to increase the number of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships offered to Borneo-born students to 4,200 annually, as well as the provision of nearly RM1.3 billion to repair and upgrade dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
Initiatives to support small-scale entrepreneurs, including upgrading hawker centres at Arena Niaga Kunak and Hentian Telupid, organising Tamu Desa events, and extending the RM300-per-hectare ploughing incentive to local paddy farmers, were expected to inject new impetus into the community economy.
He also called on Sabah’s leaders and people to work together to ensure the successful implementation of all the budget initiatives so that no region or community would be left behind in the country’s development.
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