With higher revenue, Sarawak premier says tabling bigger state budget for 2023 next month
DARO, Oct 23 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said he will table a much bigger state Budget 2023 at next month’s State Assembly sitting.
He said the bigger budget is due to much higher revenue generated by the state this year.
"You will see how much our budget and revenue will be. But I am unable to announce it now. You have to wait,” he said at a leader-meet-people session here.
He said the state government was able to spend about RM6.8 billion for the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) to help people mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as it has the money in its coffers.
Abang Johari, who is also the state minister of finance and economic planning, assured the public that the state government would not run out of money to finance development projects.
"In fact, our financial position is getting stronger by the year,” he stressed, adding the rural areas will continue to be given top priority in the state government development agenda.
He said these include the construction of roads and bridges which are important for the socio-economic development in rural areas.
Citing an example, he said the state government has decided to take over the construction of the RM285 million Batang Igan bridge after the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government withdrew its funding.
He said the bridge, to be completed in 2024, will be an essential link to the coastal road network.
He said the PH government also cancelled the construction of Batang Igan and Batang Lassa bridges.
He added the state government had to come up with over RM1 billion for these three bridges as it knows their economic importance to the rural communities.
Abang Johari, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman, urged the people to support the candidate contesting in Igan constituency in the 15th general election on November 19.
"You give your support to whoever is being nominated by GPS in this area because he will be the one who will bring the GPS flag in the election,” he said, adding that they must reject their personal differences for the sake of the future generations.
Among those present at the function were incumbent Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi and Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
