KOTA KINABALU: The state assembly passed an RM1.4bil supplementary bill meant for infrastructure development, operational costs and welfare assistance among other things on Tuesday.
State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said this RM1.4bil additional funds under Budget 2024 is vital for the smooth running of state operations and administrations until the end of the year.
He said the required funds were for six main categories namely RM295mil for the state development trust fund, operational costs of RM288mil, administrative expenses of RM173mil, special allocations amounting to RM101mil, investment funds of RM80mil and grants totalling RM64mil.
He said the biggest chunk of this supplementary bill is meant for the Finance Ministry - RM529 mil, followed by the Works Ministry at RM204.9mil, RM109.9mil for the Chief Minister’s Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Ministry at RM55.9mil and RM32mil for the Local Government and Housing ministry.
Others who will get additional funds are the Youth and Sports ministry (RM31.9mil) and RM39.9mil for other ministries and departments, said Masidi.
Among those who debated were Senallang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Sindumin’s Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, Lamag assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Moyog’s Datuk Darell Leiking, Kemabong’s Datuk Rubin Balang and Tanjung Aru’s Datuk Junz Wong.
Shafie is concerned about how the funds are managed and the methods of how debts are paid, while Yusof suggested that the money be used for pressing infrastructure developments and payment to contractors on infrastructure and development projects.
Bung urged for ports to be maintained and upgraded for more investments to come in, while Leiking wants to know how much the state is willing to put in to solve recurring flood issues in Penampang and other districts, as well as for the victims to rebuild their lives.
Wong called for the state to solve the unemployment rate, push for better work remuneration for the people, and stop policies and taxes that burden the people to improve the economy of the people and the state.
