By Olivia Miwil - November 14, 2020 @ 7:06pm
KOTA KINABALU: The 2021 Budget's RM85.5 million allocation for the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) should instead be channelled to other more crucial sectors.
United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said the party cannot support such a budget to be spent for cybertroopers and cronies when Covid-19 patients, frontliners, families and businesses are denied support.
The Communications and Multimedia Ministry had previously justified the Jasa allocation by arguing that it would be used to unite the country and galvanise the effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. It also said it would use the allocated funds to recruit more staff in all states and districts nationwide.
"The government should transfer Jasa's RM 85.5 million for expenses in health, the economy, telecommunications, and other productive sectors.
"Half of that, RM42.25 million, should be ear-marked for Sabah, while the other half can go to other states and sectors," he said in a statement.
Wilfred, who is also Tuaran Member of Parliament, added that Sabah deserves the extra funds as the state is the hardest-hit by Covid-19 due to an uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants because of its porous borders.
"I urge Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz to slash the RM85.5 million allocated to Jasa, a call that has been made by members of the public, Opposition MPs and even MPs from Umno."
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