KUCHING: Sarawak does not need to tap into its reserves as it is expected to generate a surplus of RM122 million this year.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Central Women chairman Kho Teck Wan said based on Sarawak’s 2019 budget, total estimated revenue was RM10.513 billion while the total proposed Ordinary Expenditure was RM10.391 billion. Hence the 2019 Budget was expected to generate a surplus of RM122 million, she said in response to Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng’s remarks that Sarawak would go bankrupt in 3 years.
Kho noted that Sarawak had the highest reserve (RM30 billion) in Malaysia.
“Lim has conveniently dropped Sarawak’s income and based his statement purely on expenditure. Based on his calculation, Penang will be bankrupt within a year.
“This statement by the Finance Minister proves that he thinks Sarawakians are stupid,” she added.
Kho said that according to Bloomberg, Malaysia’s stock market was Asia’s only loser in 2019.
She urged Lim to focus on efforts to boost investors’ confidence instead of spreading false information about Sarawak’s fiscal position.
