KUCHING: With only RM4.4 billion allocation for Sarawak in the 2020 Budget, it is a disgrace to Sarawak and its people, said Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.
He opined that it was a clear sign of suppression and discrimination as Sarawak has a larger area compared to Sabah, which has been allocated RM5.2 billion.
“As a Sarawakian myself, this is a bad budget. Bad for Sarawak and its people.
“I wonder why is Lim Guan Eng (Finance Minister) and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government treats Sarawak like this. Truly disappointing and regrettable,” said Minos.
He added that over 70 per cent of the federal government’s expenditure for the year 2020 would be on operating and less than 30 per cent on development.
Minos stressed that it was no better than that of the previous years, adding that other nations spend more on development and less on operating expenditure.
“As it is and has been, Malaysia will never be economically developed. There must be a way to cut the astronomical expenditure on civil servants’ salaries, allowances, perks and non-economic ones.
“The day will come when the federal government — the biggest economic stimulator, spender and consumer in the nation — has to reduce and cut its operating expenditure,” said Minos, who holds a law degree from London and another in economics from Manchester University as well as an MBA from Hull University in the UK.
He added that since the setting up of Petronas in 1974, the national petroleum company has obtained RM660 billion from the oil and gas resources and over 90 per cent comes from Sabah and Sarawak.
“But what do Sabah and Sarawak get from this budget? Very little. Almost nothing substantial. If that is not discrimination and bullying, then what is it?” he queried.
Minos said that at present, Sarawak has been asking for only RM3 billion through the sales tax on petroleum products, and that too is falling on deaf ears.
He added that Petronas was being difficult and not likely to oblige.
“That is why I said if Petronas doesn’t pay up by Dec 31 this year, Sarawak should file a lawsuit and see what the court has to say.”
