KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman has unveiled a RM4.09bil budget aimed at continuing Sabah's development programmes and boosting the economic wellbeing of the people.

The amount represented a RM40mil increase over last year's budget of some RM4.05bil.

Musa said the expenditure was aimed at eradicating poverty and improving the quality of life of the people.

He said the other thrusts of the budget were to strengthen Sabah's financial position, improving basic infrastructure and public amenities while developing high quality youth and human capital.

In this regard, Musa said more than 85% of the development expenditure or RM2.07bil would go towards the economic sector.

Of this, nearly half or RM988.23mil had been earmarked for public utilities, including water supply, rural electrification and sewerage projects.

Musa said nearly RM764mil would be spent on infrastructure including the construction of roads and bridges as well as ports and harbours and the upgrading of Borneo's only rail service, Sabah Railways.

Musa also announced a special RM1mil allocation and the RM500,000 sentuhan kasih (touch of compassion) funding for each state constituency be continued next year.

The state expenditure for next would be funded in part from the sales tax of crude palm oil that was expected to generate some RM1.05bil.

Another RM1bil each would come from petroleum royalties and interests and proceeds from investments.

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