Abg Jo: 2024 State Budget to continue to be expansionary, development-biased

KUCHING (Nov 20): The 2024 State Budget will continue to be an expansionary and development-biased budget to boost government spending and stimulate the state’s economic growth, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Abang Johari said the 2024 State Budget amounted to RM12.36 billion with RM4.56 billion for operating expenditure and RM7.8 billion for operating expenditure.

He said the state’s operating and development expenditure for next year would be an increase of about 18 per cent from that of last year.

“With this, we are adopting an expansionary budget that invests heavily in infrastructures and places the well-being of the rakyat at its centrepiece,” said Abang Johari when presenting the budget speech for 2024 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.

In a nutshell, the Premier said the 2024 budget is framed across 12 strategic trusts.

The 12 strategic trusts are accelerating economic growth; stimulating regional and rural development; promoting investments, entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises (SMEs); transforming Sarawak into a competitive and resilient economy; strengthening human capital and talent development; intensifying digital transformation; promoting environmental sustainability; strengthening social welfare and safety net; promoting sports and youth empowerment; developing an innovation-based and knowledge-oriented economy; combating poverty and enhance people’s wellbeing; and enhancing government capacity and service delivery.

Editor’s note: This article has been amended for accuracy