Sabah formulates strategies to achieve targeted state revenue

By Olivia Miwil - April 16, 2020 @ 1:15pm

Yang diPertua Negeri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin (left) arrived at Sabah Assembly building to open the 15th state assembly sitting. Receiving him is Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (right). -Pic courtesy of Information department.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government will work towards achieving targeted state revenue this year despite the Covid-19 and financial crises.

Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin said among the efforts include oil royalty and special federal payments, as well as other potential sources of revenue.

“In achieving the objective and strategy of the 2020 State budget, focus will also be given to improving the efficiency of current financial management and rationalisation of sources in management and services.

“The Sabah government will also emphasise on prudent spending and monitor unnecessary expenditure,” he said during the opening speech of the state assembly sitting here today.

Juhar said the Covid-19 had inevitably affected Sabah, but the state was in the midst of formulating Sabah Economic Stimulus Package to strengthen the economy, boost confidence among investors, and help investors and the business community to recover, among others.

Sabah government was now improving its administration by reducing red-tape and aiming to achieve the status of Smart Digital Government by 2024.

This year, the state would also put more focus on industrial, tourism and agriculture sectors to speed up development in Sabah.

Meanwhile, he was hoping that the stable relationship between state and federal government would continue for the wellbeing of Sabahans.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Federal government for all the assistance and support to develop Sabah and its people’s wellbeing, as well as the help to handle Covid-19 in the state.

“I also want to take this opportunity to give appreciation to all front liners including those in the Health department, Immigration department, police, army, Esscom. Customs, RELA, agencies and staff at all districts, Sabah Covid-19 centre, and disaster management operation centres in handling and preventing the spread of Covid-19.”