MINISTER for Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the State Budget 2019 was not only the biggest ever but one that spoke volume of Sarawak’s financial independence.
“It is not just on the quantum alone but for the first time we are seeing the beginning of our financial independence.
“In the past when we didn’t have enough money we asked from Kuala Lumpur. Why? Because all the taxes from oil and gas went into KL’s coffer,” Dr Sim said.
“So now for Sarawak to move forward, we have to start thinking how we are going to be financially independent, and when we are financially independent, Sarawak can do a lot of things on our own. We no longer have to worry about whatever people want,” he said when commenting on the State Budget 2019 tabled by the Chief Minister yesterday.
The State Budget 2019 comprised RM9.073 billion for development and RM2.841 billion for expenditure.
“In contrast with Federal Budget, you can see clearly in the Sarawak budget, 75% is development-based,” he said.
“With extra funding, apart from development-based and rural-focused budget, it is the beginning of people-centric policy in which RM1,000 is set aside for every newly born Sarawakian. This is just the beginning and there are quite a number of people-centric policies that we have in mind.”
