Kuala Lumpur: Only 40.6 per cent of projects approved under Sabah’s Budget 2024 have been completed as of 27 January 2025, while the rest are still in progress, according to government data presented in Parliament.
Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau raised the issue in the Dewan Rakyat, requesting a breakdown from the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) on projects that had been completed, those still being implemented, and the ministries responsible.
In a written response, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, stated that 783 projects had been listed under the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-12) for Sabah in 2024. Of these, 318 had been completed, while 465 were still in progress.
The Education Ministry recorded the highest number of projects, with 240 approved, of which 94 had been completed, while 146 remained under implementation. The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) followed with 199 projects, including 89 completed and 110 ongoing.
Several other key ministries overseeing infrastructure and economic projects in Sabah were also included. The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) had 65 projects, with 16 completed and 49 in progress, while the Ministry of Works (KKR) had 27 projects, with four completed and 23 still under construction. The Ministry of Economy recorded 14 projects, with five completed and nine ongoing.
Some ministries had fully completed their projects, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (4 projects), the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (2 projects), and the Ministry of National Unity (1 project). Meanwhile, JPM itself had 19 approved projects, of which seven had been completed and 12 remained under implementation.
Other ministries also recorded project allocations under Budget 2024 for Sabah, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports (10 projects), Ministry of Home Affairs (26), Ministry of Health (33), Ministry of Communications (2), Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (1), Ministry of Higher Education (16), and Ministry of Transport (3).
Additionally, the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities had 7 projects, the Ministry of Defence had 16, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had 37, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government had 30, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability had 25, and the Ministry of Human Resources had 6.
Tangau noted that while 40.6 per cent of projects had been completed, a significant number were still being implemented. He also pointed out that some projects approved under earlier development plans, including the 10th Malaysia Plan (RMK-10), had yet to begin.
“There are projects that were first listed under RMK-10, yet today, they haven’t even started. Some projects take time due to various factors,” he said.
With many projects still underway, Tangau said it is important to ensure that implementation remains on track so that development efforts in Sabah continue as planned.
As he prepares to debate the Supplementary Supply Bill next week, Tangau said he hopes to further discuss development priorities and funding strategies to support Sabah’s progress.
