KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hopes that Sarawak would get an equitable share of funding as a region and as an equal partner in the federation under the national 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
In the seventh focus of the 12MP which is “Boosting the Development of Sabah, Sarawak and Less Developed States”, he said the allocation was still low compared to the needs of the state to accelerate and close the development gaps.
“The allocation of RM4.47 billion is a mere 6.8 percent of the total national development expenditure under the 12MP first rolling plan which clearly does not reflect or justify Sarawak as a region, as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.
Abang Johari pointed this out during the Special Meeting on the 2022 State Budget with Sarawakian lawmakers at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (Oct 12).
He added Sarawak’s economic structure was different from the rest of the country; the state economy was currently based on commodities and natural resources which made it vulnerable to the volatility of commodity prices.
“Our population is sparsely distributed in a sizable area of 124,450 sq km or almost the size of Peninsular Malaysia.
“Connectivity infrastructure is key to ensuring equal opportunities can be created in Sarawak. Therefore, we need to expand the coverage of basic infrastructure, utilities, health and education facilities,” he said.
Abang Johari added that over the years, Sarawak had contributed 10 percent to the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri presented the 12MP on Sept 27.
