KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly has passed a RM1.612bil Supplementary Supply Bill after two days of debates.
During his winding-up speech, state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun clarified that the basic principle of a supplementary budget was a financial mechanism to fulfil financial needs that were not fully ascertained during the drawing up of the current state budget.
He explained that new needs arose after the budget was passed, following scrutinised, transparent and proper considerations.
“Therefore, the tabling of this supplementary budget cannot be seen as a failure or flaw in the planning of Budget 2026, which was tabled in December 2025,” he said.
Masidi said the tabling of the bill proved the government’s ability to act responsively and responsibly towards current needs without disregarding the principle of fiscal discipline, accountability and good financial management.
He also explained that the supply to development expenses was calculated at a ratio of 76:24, compared with last year’s 80:20 ratio, following an increase for development allocations.
Meanwhile, supply expenses remain higher because many government assets are still in the maintenance phase.
Masidi said that while drafting the previous budget, the government adopted a ‘spend what you have, not what you don’t have’ principle, because estimated supply and development expenses at the time were RM7.97bil against a projected revenue of RM6.4bil.
He assured the House that a briefing session would be planned to provide a more detailed explanation for issues touched on during the sitting.
Earlier, during the debate session, assemblymen took turns raising their concerns over the supplementary budget and the allocations for certain ministries, agencies, and uses.
Many urged for the budget to address perennial issues such as infrastructure, water and electricity, as well as improving healthcare, education, cost of living, employment, increasing income and lowering the poverty rate.
Among those who shared their thoughts were Bugaya’s Jamil Hamzah, who asked for clear data on past allocations; nominated assemblyman Datuk Chin Shu Ying, who asked for more attention to be given to mentally handicapped or challenged individuals and their caregivers; and Tungku’s Assaffal Alian, who questioned if the problem arose due to Sabah not having enough money.
There were also calls for written answers to be provided within a week, instead of waiting until the next sitting.
When tabling the bill on Monday (July 20), Masidi said there were six main categories for the 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.
