BUDGET 2023 for Sabah and Sarawak is a marked increase from the previous years, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Describing it as “good balanced, pro-people and recovery-based”, he attributed the increased allocation for the East Malaysian states to the focus stressed through the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63).
He added that despite the challenges on the revenue receipts, the allocations did not divert away from meeting the basic needs of the people, of which RM6.3 billion was allocated for development of Sabah, and RM5.4 billion for Sarawak, while for rural development, a total of RM1.5 billion for Sabah and RM2.55 billion for Sarawak.
“For Sabah and Sarawak, the development needs and focus highlighted by the MKMA63 have been acted on and provided for, including providing development allocations for poverty and B40 group