2022 Budget: Rural development budget to catalyse economy in Sabah

 By Olivia Miwil - October 30, 2021 @ 1:40pm

A Bajau Laut fisherman going about his business as usual at Pulau Mabul off Semporna.-NST/ AVILA GERALDINE

KOTA KINABALU: The government's emphasis on infrastructure development in the rural areas including Sabah will boost the economy, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Arthur Kurup said.

He said the 2022 Budget had allocated RM5.2 billion development expenditure for Sabah.

"It includes the construction of rural link roads, rural and alternative water supply as well as other infrastructures.

"It will be the catalyst for a strong facility base for Malaysian families in Sabah," he said in a statement.

He added that the announcement of eight general operations force control posts including at Pagalungan was timely in strengthening the country's sovereignty.

The Pensiangan member of parliament, also said the RM2,000 payment under Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia would help families of three or more children with monthly income of RM2,500 especially those from rural areas and affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.