Masidi: Sabah to table budget on Dec 12, focus on continuing development momentum

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 3): Sabah’s 2026 State Budget will be tabled in the State Legislative Assembly on Dec 12, said Deputy Chief Minister and State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

Speaking to reporters on his first day back on duty at the Ministry of Finance following the state election, Masidi said his immediate priority upon being reappointed to helm the ministry is to prepare for the annual budget.

“I would like to first thank the voters who chose me in the Karanaan state assembly constituency and secondly the Right Honourable Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor) for the trust and confidence in appointing me once again as the Finance Minister,” he said.

He acknowledged that the ministry bears one of the heaviest responsibilities in the state administration.

“In reality, I only have around 10 days to prepare the State Budget 2026. However, thanks to the diligence and dedication of the officers in this ministry, who had already made early preparations even before the State Legislative Assembly was dissolved, the process has been made a little easier, although the timeframe for making further improvements is quite tight.

“God willing, we are ready to table the 2026 Budget on December 12,” he said.

Masidi explained that the budget will focus on continuing Sabah’s development momentum, even in the face of a more challenging global economic environment, including declining commodity prices such as crude oil.

“When we were planning this budget, we projected oil prices at above US$70 per barrel, but international prices are now around US$67 to US$68 per barrel. This will, to some extent, have an impact on budget preparations for 2026,” he said.

However, he expressed confidence that the impact would not be too significant to affect the state government’s development agenda.

“We hope this will not have a major impact on our efforts to continue the momentum of development, especially the allocations that have been set aside for the general well-being of the people,” he said.

When asked whether the 2026 Budget would be aligned with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap, Masidi said it is essentially a continuation of the current development thrust, with strong emphasis on infrastructure development and people’s welfare.

“We have already initiated this momentum, with relatively large spending on infrastructure and the welfare of the people. But there is a need to continue it so that the impact can be felt more strongly and can, to some extent, improve the lives of those in the low-income group.

“That is our main focus in the preparation of this budget,” he said.

On whether there would be any new initiatives introduced, Masidi said details will only be announced when the budget is tabled.

“We will announce it later in the assembly,” he added.