Sabah leaders see much to celebrate from Budget allocations

Ewon: The allocation under Budget 2024 would also enable funding for batik and handicraft makers. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Bumiputra communities in Sabah and Sarawak will benefit from the soft loans for micro entrepreneurs and small traders amounting to RM330mil under the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun), says Datuk Ewon Benedick.

The Sabah Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said the allocation under Budget 2024 would also enable funding for batik and handicraft makers along with Orang Asli entrepreneurs.

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The Upko president and Penampang MP also welcomed the loan facility and guaranteed funding for micro, small and medium enterprises amounting to RM44bil.

Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the RM6.6bil development allocation to the state was a positive move, but the challenge would be on implementation.

“It has been the norm that only about 50% of these funds are utilised for implementation every year,” he said.

Former foreign minister Tan Sri Anifah Aman, who is now the special adviser on international relations and foreign investments to the Chief Minister, also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the RM6.6bil development funds for Sabah.

He lauded the devolution of regulatory power on electricity supply to the Sabah government which was in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

ALSO READ: Budget 2024: Anifah lauds much-needed allocation to resolve Labuan’s water woes

The Labuan senator also lauded the Federal Government’s move to allocate RM1.1bil to solve water supply problems in Labuan, Sabah and Kelantan.

He added that Labuan residents could now look forward to the resolution of their water woes.

Sabah PKR leadership council deputy chairman Sazalye Donol said Budget 2024 included policies aimed at easing the burden of low income earners in the country.

The Kota Marudu PKR division chief said increasing the price of rubber and the electricity rebate were meant to help the people.

“For us in Kota Marudu (about 120km from here), we are especially glad to know that the price of rubber will be increased from RM2.70 to RM3.

“This is the news that rubber tappers in Sabah have been waiting for,” he said.

Parti KDM president Datuk Peter Anthony echoed his sentiment, saying not a single group had been overlooked in the Budget, which also aimed to eradicate poverty, especially in Sabah.

Sabah’s sole Opposition MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the government will be under pressure to increase food production after increasing the various forms of subsidies and incentives to the agrofood sector to RM2.6bil next year.

“This increment will pose a challenge to the relevant ministry to ensure the list of beneficiaries and the method of disbursement are updated to prevent leakages,” said the state Perikatan Nasional chief and Beluran MP.