SANDAKAN: Sabah should receive a bigger and more meaningful allocation in the coming National Budget to address its long-standing infrastructure, healthcare, education and agricultural needs, said LDP-GRS vice-president Chong Thien Ming.
With the National Budget expected to be tabled in October, Chong said the coming Budget was particularly important as the country approaches another General Election cycle. He said that if the Federal Government was committed to completing its full five-year term, major promises and commitments to Sabah should be at least 90 per cent implemented before Parliament is dissolved.
He said priority should be given to infrastructure and flood mitigation, noting that Sabah JKR continued to face pressure to maintain roads, bridges, water pipelines and drainage systems, particularly in rural areas. At the same time, urban and suburban areas were increasingly affected by flash floods. Chong said badly damaged federal roads should undergo proper resurfacing or deep patching instead of repeated temporary repairs, stressing that road safety should not be compromised.
On healthcare, Chong called for greater investment in hospitals and Health Clinics, including the replacement of ageing medical equipment and the construction of new clinics in areas experiencing population growth. He also urged the Government to expand mobile healthcare services for remote communities and provide better incentives to attract and retain permanent doctors and other medical personnel in Sabah.
Chong said rural education also required greater attention, particularly the provision of proper facilities such as teachers’ quarters, hostels and boarding facilities for students from interior areas. He said education infrastructure should take into account Sabah’s vast geography and the needs of rural communities, rather than being concentrated mainly in major towns.
On agriculture and food security, he proposed greater support for farmers and agricultural businesses, including tax-free or reduced-tax imports of modern machinery and equipment. He also called for stronger research and development in agriculture and agro-based industries to improve productivity, reduce costs and enable Sabah to produce higher-value products instead of relying mainly on raw commodities.
Chong also urged the Federal Government to carefully consider the timing and impact of new taxes and additional costs, particularly on Sabah businesses. He said many SMEs were still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, while Sandakan had seen factories close and other businesses, including shops and restaurants, continue to struggle.
He said any additional tax burden could eventually be passed on to consumers through higher prices. “Sabah needs a Budget that provides confidence and creates opportunities, rather than one that creates further uncertainty and increases the cost of doing business,” he said.
Chong said Sabah remained years behind Peninsula Malaysia in infrastructure and overall development, and called for accelerated efforts to close the gap.
“Sabahans are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fair and meaningful development that reflects Sabah’s needs and contribution to Malaysia,” he said, urging reliable funding for infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and economic development. – James Leong
Chong said the coming Budget was particularly important as the country approaches another General Election cycle.
