KUCHING: The State 2021 Budget will prove those who believe Sarawak will be ‘bankrupt’ wrong, said Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg tabled another development and rural-biased budget with expected receivable revenue to stand at RM10.012 billion and expenditure at RM9.832 billion making a surplus budget of RM180 million for year 2021.
“With these public investments (the budget) and possibly the foreign direct investments (FDI) pouring in, Sarawak foresee better economic performance comes 2021,” he said.
With its theme ‘Reinvigorating the Economy towards a Resilient, Caring and Inclusive Society’, the budget emphasis on economic recovery, securing the people’s wellbeing, food security and agriculture, strengthening social security, advancing digital economy and human capital development as its main thrusts.
“On development, gaps between rural and urban will be bridged with RM6.3 billion allocation and a large portion of RM4.251 billion (67 percent) for the rural infrastructures.
“Affordable housing with RM93 million allocation, monthly rental assistance of RM200 for those eligible are all for the people’s benefits. While, water and electricity stressed areas will be addressed by RM1.7 billion and RM1.398 billion allocation respectively.
“To ensure sufficient food supply and to minimise imports, a sum of RM1.123 billion is allocated for food security and agriculture. So our farmers should take advantage of this and endeavour on large-scale production,” he continued.
Snowdan, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth Chief and Youth and Sports Assistant Minister, said that Sarawakians’ social security is strengthen with efforts to ensure social protection to vulnerable groups via welfare incentives.
