KUCHING: The federal government is expected to continue funding development projects in Sarawak even though the state government has decided on a “self-determining” effort at development.
Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (pic) said Sarawak needed massive allocations from the federal government to develop its rural areas where roads and bridges, water supply, schools and clinics still had to be provided.
“Despite our intensifying efforts (to fund development projects), it does not at all mean that the federal government is relieved of its responsibilities to continue funding development projects in Sarawak,” Soon Koh said in his winding up speech.
He applauded the 5% sales tax on petroleum products, saying Sarawak needed more revenue sources to enhance its financial capacity to fund the provisions for basic infrastructure and amenities.
He noted the RM3.897bil the state would make out of the planned sales tax, saying: “That is about 37 percent of the total estimated revenue of RM10.513 billion for 2019.
“We fully support our chief minister’s call to be self-determining in understanding the massive development works ahead of us,” he added.
