KUCHING: Allocations to various sectors such as security, human resource training, education and retirement are hoped for in the upcoming Budget 2020.
Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) chairman Datuk John Lau felt that a safety and security budget should be allocated to enable Sarawak to prepare for Indonesia shifting its capital to East Kalimantan.
“The budget will enable the state to strengthen the Sarawak-Kalimantan border,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
He also called for a special fund for human resources competency training, remarking that this was necessary to upskill the current workforce, enabling them to earn more.
“Allocate funding to allow qualified students undergoing their tertiary studies to have government scholarships.
“Allocate funding to educate Malaysians that we are born in this land and we are Malaysians, rather than being recognised by our ethnic backgrounds,” said Lau.
He also called for increased allotments for high speed internet connections.
Concerned about the nation’s aging population, he urged the government to allow those above 70 to receive free medical care.
“Those above 70 should also enjoy an annual angpow of RM1,000 from the government,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak Division secretary Andrew Lo called for improvement in the civil service.
Like Lau, he supported greater allocation for on-the-job training as well as retraining of the workforce in line with the new digital economy.
“There should be allocations for unions and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on employees’ rights and human resources management.
“More development and less operating expenditure. Reduce leakages and corruption,” Lo urged.
Budget 2020 will be tabled in Parliament on October 11.
