KOTA KINABALU: The RM273.9 billion national Budget 2015 unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday got the thumbs up from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and several Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders.
Musa, who is also the State Finance Minister, lauded the budget, which saw an increase of RM9.8 billion from this year, as a boon for the people – the best, realistic and inclusive.
The Prime Minister, he said, had once again proven his commitment towards the needs of Sabah,where specific focuses were included in the budget, including for public infrastructure development, security, agriculture development and standardization of prices of goods in the state.
“The budget continues to emphasis on the development and the welfare of the people of Sabah through, among others, the RM27 billion allocation for Pan Borneo Highway, improvement of rural roads in the state, and effort to produce more Bumiputera entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said to reporters after following the budget tabling live at Seri Gaya here.
Musa stressed the budget was a testament that Najib had always been concerned with the interest of the people and emphasized on balancing between “capital economy” and “people economy”, to ensure a fair and healthy development for the whole country.
Budget 2015, he noted, among others would provide for people housing schemes, medical services and education development in Sabah.
A total of RM660 million has also been allocated to boost security in Sabah, by enhancing security assets in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
In addition, various allocations were also set aside, including for setting up additional Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) outlets in Sabah.
“This is a concern and caring budget, a continuation of a tradition of ensuring the well-being of the people, particularly through the increase of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) assistance.
“What is important is that this budget has given assurance that the government will ensure the people are not burdened with the increase in the cost of living and the restructuring of fuel subsidy,” he said.
Musa stressed the prudent spending planned under Budget 2015 would ensure that the country’s economy would remain solid, sustainable and competitive in facing a sluggish global economy.
He expressed gratitude to Najib for his continuous commitment to the state’s development and welfare of its people, adding that the state government too would give its fullest commitment to ensure successful implementation of the various initiatives, measures and programmes planned under the budget.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the introduction of special subsidy for hill paddy planters was highly welcomed, given that many native communities in Sabah were still dependent on the crop.
He said the assistance was appropriate and timely as hill paddy is comparatively difficult to cultivate compared to wet paddy.
“As someone who comes from a family that still plant hill paddy, I believe many will be very happy with the news,” he said.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan meanwhile described the newly tabled budget as the most youth friendly in years.
He however hoped that the newly introduced housing scheme for youth, under which 20,000 married couples aged 25 to 40, with a household income not exceeding RM10,000 will be given RM200 monthly assistance for the first two years for paying their housing installment.
The assistance to be given on a first come first serve basis, also includes 50 per cent stamp duty exemption and applicable for houses RM500,000 and below.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad said the budget was packed with various welfare packages for the people, which will benefit a lot of low income and medium income families in Sabah.