KUCHING: Sarawakians appear to be eagerly waiting to see how the state government will utilise its additional revenue for the benefit of the people.
Of particular concern are the M40 and B40 groups, especially their children, who they felt the government should reach out to even more now.
A survey conducted by the Sarawak Patriot Association, for instance, found that most are hoping the money will be spent on helping the children of these lower income categories.
Its chairman Datuk Lau Pang Heng disclosed that 420 respondents were randomly picked from a database of 19,600 persons in six state constituencies in the state capital.
He said 86 per cent of them proposed the government use the additional revenue to help children now that the 2023 school term is approaching.
“They felt the state government should use the revenue to help the children to buy books, stationery, bags, school uniforms and shoes.
“This is because times are still tough for these groups of Sarawakians who are struggling to have a normal life after the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Nevertheless, on behalf of SPA, Lau extended his felicitations to the state government for the achievement.
He said that if the additional fund were to be deposited in the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Fund, it would be able to further assist needy children, and provide finance to those students who want to further their studies.
Aside from that, he said, the additional revenue could also be spent on improving the infrastructure of Sarawak or provide welfare funding for the elderly.
“The people are contributing the tax collected by the government, hence, it will be good when the government applies inclusive policies, with additional income, in financial management working towards a green and sustainable growth by involving every sector of the community in the growth process, instead of among a few elites,” he said.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had recently announced that Sarawak had collected its highest revenue in its history in 2022, surpassing its initial projection.
He said the state’s actual revenue performance for the financial year 2022 surpassed its projected revenue by 17 per cent, growing from RM10.2 billion to RM11.9 billion.
