KUALA LUMPUR: The government needs to provide a clear and detailed mechanism for allocations for the Borneo States under Budget 2024, says a Sabah lawmaker.
Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) said the Federal Government had yet to implement her suggestion for this, despite it being raised during her Budget 2023 debates earlier this year.
"Take the allocations on dilapidated schools for example. There are no details on which schools need repairs. How can we monitor repairs on dilapidated schools then?" she asked when debating Budget 2024 in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 24).
On the proposal to restructure diesel subsidies, Isnaraissah Munirah said the government should keep the interests of Sabah and Sarawak in mind.
She said the majority of Sabahans used diesel on a daily basis to carry out their activities.
"Society at all layers use this commodity. Sabahans will be the most affected," she said.
When tabling Budget 2024 on Oct 13, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said logistics companies and certain groups will continue to enjoy subsidised diesel but other users will have to pay a higher price as part of the government's plans to restructure fuel subsidies.
Separately, Isnaraissah Munirah questioned whether the increased cash aids announced in Budget 2024 would cover the increasing costs of living in light of subsidies being reduced.
"If the government has the numbers, please present them," she said.
