KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is urging the Sabah government to utilise the increased special grant of RM300mil given by Putrajaya to address the state's basic infrastructure woes.
The Sabah Umno chief welcomed the Federal Government's decision to approve the interim amount under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, saying this was the right move to positively affect economic and social development in the state.
He added that the onus was now on the state to channel those funds to uplift development and Sabahans' lives.
"These funds are needed especially to resolve development of basic infrastructure such as clean water supply, electricity and roads," Bung Moktar said after chairing a state Umno meeting here on Tuesday (July 18).
"These are quite critical and lagging behind other states.
"The main issue that needs attention is that the delivery system must be accurate and fast so these efforts to develop Sabah can be expedited," he added.
Bung Moktar said the allocation was still inadequate considering Sabah's geographical factors, it was a positive step.
He said the increased amount was proof that the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was determined to ensure that all the people, especially in Sabah, received equal access both in terms of government funds and infrastructure growth.
After chairing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) technical committee meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Sabah and Sarawak would receive RM300mil in special grants from the Federal Government this year.
The RM300mil grant is a RM40mil increase for Sabah following the previous RM260mil grant Putrajaya announced for the state in January, which would be paid as soon as possible, said Fadillah, who is also chairman of the MA63 committee.
On another issue, Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional chief, said it was also vital that Sabah and Sarawak had autonomy over health and education matters in their respective states.
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