KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs an additional RM1.6bil for its statutory funds, operational expenses, investments, infrastructure and welfare, among other things, the state assembly was told.
State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said when tabling the Supplementary Supply Bill on Monday (July 20) that there are six main categories for this additional allocation.
They are: RM856mil for contributions for statutory funds; RM278mil for operational expenses; RM210mil for investments; RM162mil for administrative expenses; RM93mil for domestic grants; and RM13mil for special allocations.
He said the largest portion of the allocation does not involve cash flow, only book transfers, to comply with the Development Funds Act 1966 and Financial Procedure Act 1957.
Among other things, Masidi said RM700mil is to reduce the deficit in the development account and RM90mil is for maintenance of roads and bridges across the state.
Meanwhile, RM66mil is for a special trust fund for infrastructure construction and repair works and poverty eradication programmes, RM210mil for equity investments, RM22mil for domestic grant use like medical examination payments, for non-Muslim religious bodies and National Type schools (SJK), and RM13mil for cleaning of beaches in the city and Semporna.
"RM86mil is for the Chief Minister’s Department and agencies under it, which includes RM43mil for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries, RM30.6mil for Rural Development and district offices, and RM10mil for backlog payments to water concessionaires," he said.
Other areas that need additional funding comprise the Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Ministry, federal loan repayments, and Public Works and Utilities.
When debating the bill, opposition leaders, including Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang), questioned some of the items listed for the bill, asking whether they were of urgent importance as administrative costs seemed to overpower infrastructure and welfare needs.
Shafie also asked what happened to the budget tabled last year, and where the money for all the intended developments, welfare aid, and other programmes went.
When tabling the Sabah 2026 Budget on Dec 12, 2025, Masidi said the proposed budget would have a surplus of RM28mil despite a slight reduction compared to the 2025 budget after factoring in estimated revenue collections.
Usukan’s Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis questioned whether the supplementary bill was for urgent needs or the result of poor financial management.
Meanwhile, Kuamut assemblyman and Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Masiung Banah called for long-standing pressing issues such as water, electricity and infrastructure to be solved with the additional funds, while urging planned projects to be justly implemented.
He also argued that the Budi Diesel programme should be restructured as the 200-litre monthly quota was not enough for Sabah.
Tambunan representative Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan stressed the need to reclaim state rights, including the 40% net revenue payment, stating that Sabah would not have to keep tabling supplementary bills if the payment was made.
He also repeated calls to set up a bipartisan select committee at the state assembly to discuss the matter.
Others who shared their thoughts include assemblymen from Tanjung Aru, Sulabayan, Sebatik, Balung, Darau, Lamag, Sindumin, Pantai Manis, Tamparuli, Sekong, Liawan, Kapayan, Karambunai, Sungai Sibuga, Tanjong Papat, Likas and Silam.
The debate session resumes on Tuesday (July 21).
