Abg Jo calls on Putrajaya to give more allocation to Sarawak in future budget

KUCHING (Nov 20): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called on the federal government to provide more allocation to Sarawak in its future Budget.

This, he said, is in view of Sarawak’s significant contribution to the national economic growth as well as the federal coffer especially revenue from oil and gas.

He said under the 2024 National Budget, the federal allocation of RM5.8 billion for development purposes was insufficient, despite an increment from RM5.6 billion.

“I would like to thank the federal government for this increase. However, this allocation represents only 6.4 per cent of the total Federal Development Budget of RM90 billion for 2024.

“It is obviously far from enough to meet our development needs and address the imbalances between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, and our federal counterpart knows this very well,” he said when tabling the 2024 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today.

In his speech, Abang Johari said Sarawakians must maintain a fighting spirit and continue to strive to defend the rights and interests of Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia.

“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will continue its commitment to fight to regain Sarawak’s rights that have been eroded under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This has been proven with several of our successes as a result of negotiations with the federal government since the time of the late Tok Nan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem).

“The latest is the federal government’s agreement to return Bintulu Port to Sarawak. We will continue this effort including obtaining autonomous powers in the fields of education, health and the environment,” he said.

He also called on the federal government to listen and understand the aspirations of the people of Sarawak to ensure that the Federation of Malaysia will always be peaceful and secure throughout the ages.

“I am confident and trust that the good and close relationship between the GPS government and the federal government will ultimately provide the solution that we hope for,” said Abang Johari.