The National 2022 Budget leaves no one behind, including Sabah

 By Olivia Miwil - October 29, 2021 @ 7:35pm

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor watching the live tabling of National 2022 Budget. - Pict courtesy of Sabah Chief Minister's office.

KOTA KINABALU: The 2022 Budget is inclusive and leaves no one behind as the nation reels from the Covid-19 pandemic, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

"The RM332.1 billion Keluarga Malaysia, Makmur Sejahtera Budget is huge as next year is expected to be a recovery year for all the economic sectors affected by the pandemic.

"The increment in allocation to RM5.2 billion for basic amenities, infrastructure, water and electricity as well as health care development for Sabah is good news," he said in a statement.

Hajiji, who is also state finance minister, said Sabah appreciates the Federal Government's continuous sensitivity to the state's need by proposing RM1.5 billion for rural infrastructure development in Sabah and Sarawak.

Also welcomed was the assurance that infrastructure projects worth RM3.5 billion, among them the Pan Borneo highway will be continued next year.

"The proposed tax reliefs and incentives for various sectors in the National Budget tabled by the Finance Minister complements the Sabah Government's Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya agenda.

"We see the National Budget as complementing the 12th Malaysia Plan and we welcome the proposed allocations for Sabah next year," he said after watching the tabling of the budget.

Also with him were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and senior government officers.

Hajiji also welcomed the continuing RM209 million subsidy for air transport services in Sabah and Sarawak.

As for the proposed General Operations Force (GOF) Camp at Pagalungan, he said it would really help in boosting the border security between Malaysia and Indonesia.