Budget 2025: SMC deputy chairman hails RM5.9 bln for S’wak as strong commitment to tackling infrastructure gaps

SIBU (Oct 19): The RM5.9 billion allocation for Sarawak under Budget 2025 signifies strong commitment to regional development and addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps, said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley.

He also views it as ‘a significant step towards reducing regional inequalities and promoting balanced development’.

“The focus on public infrastructure, such as flood mitigation and road expansions, is particularly relevant to Sibu, where improved connectivity and resilience to environmental challenges will support local economic growth,” said Izkandar when asked about his reaction to Budget 2025, which was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday.

On subsidy restructuring, especially for RON95 petrol, Izkandar pointed out that this would ensure that financial support would be directed to the most vulnerable groups in Malaysia, and at the same time, it would optimise government resources.

“As a local leader, I also welcome the anti-corruption initiatives that will enhance governance and investment initiatives that will attract high-value investments to regions like Sibu,” he said.

On the introduction of a more progressive Sales and Services Tax (SST) next year, particularly targeting non-essential imported goods, Izkandar hailed it as ‘a move to increase the government’s revenue without disproportionately affecting the lower and middle-class groups’.

Nonetheless, Izkandar added: “The budget is not exclusively tax-focused. It also includes major investments in infrastructure and regional development for Sabah and Sarawak, as well as incentives for high-value sectors like artificial intelligence and renewable energy, meant to foster long-term economic growth and job creation.”