Sabah's interim payments hit RM600m in 2024
Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick highlighted the growth from RM26 million in previous years to RM125.6 million in 2022, RM306 million in 2023, and RM600 million this year.
Ewon, who is also the Penampang MP, credited Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for securing higher revenue collection, ensuring Sabah's rights and development needs are met.
He made these remarks during the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025 at the Sabah State Assembly.
The bill, involving RM1.186 billion, marks the highest allocation in the state assembly's history.
Combined with the RM6.421 billion budget approved last November, Sabah's total budget for 2025 stands at RM7.607 billion.
Ewon, serving as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, emphasised the budget's focus on operational and development expenditures.
Key allocations include RM11 million for scholarships and student aid, with 35 scholarships awarded to Sabahans at Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM).
Additionally, RM150 million is set aside for road and bridge maintenance.
He expressed optimism that the Kadamaian constituency and Penampang parliamentary area would benefit from the supplementary budget's implementation. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
KUSKOP upgrades 39 Tamu Desa premises in Sarawak with RM7.85 mln
KUCHING: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has completed the construction and upgrading of 39 Tamu Desa (Village Guest) premises across Sarawak, with a total allocation of RM7.85 million. Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick stated that the project, implemented in phases with local authorities, aims to enhance rural market infrastructure. 'This initiative, introduced in 2024, will continue this year. We will discuss with the Sarawak government to address requests from MPs for more rural stalls and markets to be assisted,' he said after visiting Tamu Sungai Apong. The project supports rural economic empowerment and encourages small entrepreneurs' participation. Ewon noted receiving four applications from Sarawak MPs for expansion. 'We will coordinate with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to select suitable locations,' he added. Phase 1 saw 13 completed projects (RM1.99 mln), while Phase 2 includes 26 ongoing projects (RM5.85 mln), such as Tamu Semarak and Tamu Sukma, set for completion in August. Tamu Sungai Apong's upgrade cost RM416,000 across two phases. KUSKOP has implemented 100 Tamu Desa projects in Sabah and Sarawak over the past year, with 61 in Sabah and 39 in Sarawak, reinforcing rural entrepreneurial ecosystems. - Bernama
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sosma amendments should prioritise legal access and timely hearings, say experts
KUALA LUMPUR: As the government enters the final stages of reviewing the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), a former Suhakam commissioner has identified key areas he hopes will be addressed during upcoming stakeholder consultations. Ragunath Kesavan said amendments should prioritise enhanced legal safeguards for detainees, including guaranteed access to legal counsel, the option of bail, and improved trial conditions. He also urged the government to shorten the extended remand periods currently permitted under Sosma and to ensure that hearings proceed without unnecessary delays. In addition, he stressed the need to strengthen procedural integrity to prevent abuse and ensure the law aligns more closely with the Criminal Procedure Code. The government recently announced it would hold engagement sessions with key stakeholders, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), as part of the review process. Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Andrew Khoo called on the government to disclose its proposed amendments early, along with the rationale and justification for each proposed change. He also stressed the need for meaningful and substantive stakeholder engagement before the Bill is tabled in Parliament, warning against superficial consultations that amount to little more than a "tick-the-box" exercise. Ultimately, Khoo believes the law should be repealed in its entirety, citing reported abuses such as denying detainees access to legal counsel and prolonged delays in bringing cases to trial. On July 29, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry planned to amend Sosma following sustained calls from rights groups for its review or repeal. The ministry intends to present the proposed amendments in Parliament, pending Cabinet approval. Saifuddin said 73 offences under the law had been identified and reviewed to ensure its implementation was consistent with the Federal Constitution, Malaysia's international obligations, and the principle of due process of law.
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
KUSKOP Upgrades 39 Tamu Desa Premises In Sarawak With An Allocation Of RM7.85 Mln
KUCHING, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has built and upgraded a total of 39 Tamu Desa (Village Guest) premises across Sarawak over the past year, with a total allocation of RM7.85 million. Its minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the project's implementation is being carried out in phases in collaboration with the local authorities (PBT) involved. "This is a project that was first introduced by KUSKOP to improve guest markets in Sabah and Sarawak, starting in 2024, and we will continue this project for this year. "For the project in Sarawak this year, we will discuss with the state government the implementation mechanism, taking into account the requests of several Sarawak Members of Parliament (MPs) who want stalls and tamu (markets) in rural areas to also be assisted," he told reporters after visiting the Tamu Sungai Apong premises here today. He said the implementation of the Tamu Desa premises development project is among KUSKOP's ongoing commitments in empowering the rural community's economy and encouraging the active participation of small entrepreneurs in the local economic system in Sabah and Sarawak. He said he has received four applications from Sarawak MPs who want the initiative to be expanded in the state. "I need to have a discussion first with Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to select a suitable location for this project," he said. Meanwhile, Ewon said in a statement that for the Tamu Desa project in Sarawak, a total of 13 Tamu Desa projects have been implemented, costing RM1.99 million, and all of them involving Phase 1 have been fully completed. Phase 2 involves 26 projects with an allocation of RM5.85 million, and ongoing projects include Tamu Semarak and Tamu Sukma, which are expected to be completed next month (August).
