Leaders expect Premier to unveil people-centric budget

KUCHING: State and youth leaders believe the 2024 State Budget to be tabled by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Monday will be a people-centric package.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said apart from being a people-centre budget, it will be an expansionary budget in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 roadmap focusing on economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity.

“It is also my hope that there will be more policies and programmes to include youth development and educational incentives to gear our human capital towards Sarawak being a high income and progressive state by 2030,” he said.

PBB Women chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said with the state’s good revenue, it is hoped that there will be sufficient budget to continue statewide initiatives that had started in 2019.

“This includes a budget for social safety net and welfare of the poor, at-risk groups in the community, capacity building and empowering women, children, senior citizens, and the people with disabilities (OKU).

“In addition, we also hope grants will be provided to strengthen the family institution and also address the 14 social issues that we have identified,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) central youth publicity and secretary, Kelvin Hii hopes the state government continues giving subsidies on utility bills apart from providing more access to loan schemes for young business entrepreneurs.

“Perhaps, the government can look at giving more subsidies to Sarawakians for study purposes,” he said.

Democratic Action Party (DAP) Miri Youth chief Peter Hee said there must be more emphasis on social welfare, strengthening subsidies to the people, providing more employment opportunities, increasing allocations for agriculture, and strengthening agricultural opportunities under the state budget.

“We are hoping the state government can continue subsidising utility bills as it affects various sectors.

“Apart from that, the health and education sectors also need more attention from the state,” he said.