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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah welcomes the 12-initiative Malaysia Madani Budget tabled in Parliament today. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor described the revised 2023 Budget as reflecting the federal unity government's commitment to remedy the country's financial standing that takes care of the people's needs across the board. 

"We welcome the RM6.5 billion allocation for Sabah, which is about 3.1 per cent more than the amount allocated in the initial 2023 Budget tabled by the previous federal government. 

"In addition, another RM2.5 billion is allocated for Sabah and Sarawak to implement public amenity projects such as roads, streetlights, electricity and water supply.

"We welcome the federal government's commitment to expedite the more than 1,000km Pan Borneo Sabah-Sarawak Road Link project by allocating RM20 billion," he said in a statement. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had instructed Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Fadilah Yusof to oversee the matter to ensure that the Pan Borneo Highway project would not continue to be discussed in every budget sitting for the next 20 years. 

Hajiji also welcomed Anwar's assertion on the federal government's commitment to delegate the approval of federal projects below RM50 million to technical departments in Sabah and Sarawak. 

On Anwar's commitment to expedite the elimination of hardcore poor in the country through People's Income Initiative (IPR) this year, the chief minister said it was a good move and at the same time hoped for an efficient implementation of the IPR so that it will reach its goal. 

Hajiji also welcomed the prime minister's commitment that the RM1 billion allocation for Sabah and Sarawak would include the construction of the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) facility at the border town in Kalabakan in anticipation of the shifting of the Indonesian capital to Kalimantan. 

"Nonetheless, Sabah will also continue to press for the construction of a similar facility at Bantul in Pensiangan," he said. 

Hajiji said he was glad to note the federal government's emphasis on enhancement of security with an additional 42 security posts at the border including in the Eastern Sabah Security Command area, among others.

 

Source : https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/883250/budget-2023-revised-2023-budget-shows-federal-govt-takes-care-peoples