KUCHING: Batu Kitang state assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang described Kota Sentosa state assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s calculations as inaccurate for claiming that the 5 per cent sales tax will burden the people.
Lo was responding to Chong during a debate session on the State Budget 2019 yesterday.
The State Budget 2019 was tabled by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Monday (Nov 5) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
“Chong doesn’t seem to agree with this 5 per cent sales tax imposed by the state government. He must have gotten his calculations wrong. How can it not benefit the people of Sarawak when the sales tax amounts to almost RM4 billion a year and is shared among 3 million people in the state and not 30 million people in Malaya?
“As a Sarawakian I am happy to know that we have extra RM4 billion income in the state budget to develop the infrastructures. Sarawak is on its way to gaining financial independence under the leadership of Abang Johari,” said Lo.
He also opined that Sarawak under the leadership of Abang Johari has been pursuing for the state’s wealth from oil and gas to be returned.
He added that the recent RM271 billion federal budget whereby Sarawak and Sabah were allocated with RM4 billion and RM5 billion respectively have shown the level of significance of Sarawak.
Lo reminded Chong that Khazanah and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) both hold a large amount of money and do not report to the Parliament.
“Where is the accountability, integrity and transparency?” he questioned.
He further mentioned on the rejected projects after Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over the federal administration.
“For example, the Haji Baki community centre within Batu Kitang and upgrading of hawker centre which cost RM2 million have failed to proceed.
“The flood mitigation project in Santubong amounting to RM250 million has also been cancelled by the federal government,” said Lo.
