KUCHING: Sarawak has tabled a budget of RM15.8bil for 2025, the largest in the state's history, with a focus on infrastructure investment and the people's wellbeing.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the proposed budget was an increase of RM2.2bil or 16% from RM13.6bil this year.
He said RM4.9bil would be allocated for operating expenditure while RM8.8bil would be appropriated to the development fund account.
"This appropriation is to top up the brought forward balance in the development fund account to finance the 2025 development expenditure budgeted at RM10.9bil.
"This is the biggest development budget in the history of Sarawak," he said when tabling the budget in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Monday (Nov 11).
Abang Johari said Sarawak's revenue was projected to reach a record RM14.2bil next year.
He said this was estimated to include RM5.1bil from state sales tax, RM2.7bil from cash compensation in lieu of oil and gas rights, RM2.9bil from dividend income and RM937mil from federal grants and reimbursements.
"With the projected revenue of RM14.2bil and total ordinary expenditure of RM13.7bil, the 2025 state budget is expected to generate a surplus of RM486mil," he said.
Abang Johari said the 2025 state budget aimed to build a prosperous and equitable society, enhance the people's social well-being, strengthen the government's capacity to deliver quality services, achieve financial sustainability and transform Sarawak into a green hub.
Among others, he said RM11mil would be allocated to establish the Sarawak net zero and carbon plan and to implement the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023.
"Sarawak aims to play a central role in addressing global climate challenges, including the goal of net zero by 2050, while advancing our aspiration to become a regional renewable energy powerhouse," he said.
