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Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
RM1.187 bln Supplementary Supply Bill passed
KOTA KINABALU (July 7): Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun today tabled the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, which seeks an additional provision amounting to RM1,186,923,403.00 for 53 expenditure heads. He explained that all the additional estimates in the Supplementary Supply Estimates Statement were crucial to ensure the smooth operation of the State Government's administration until the end of 2025. Masidi added that the additional allocation for the year 2025 is required to finance six categories of expenditure, namely, the first category: Contributions to Statutory Funds, proposed at RM600 million or 51 per cent; second category: Administrative Expenditure, proposed at RM204 million or 17 per cent; third category: Operational Expenditure, proposed at RM195 million or 16 per cent; fourth category: Domestic Grants, proposed at RM84 million or 7 per cent; fifth category: Investment Expenditure, amounting to RM54.4 million or 5 per cent; and sixth category: Special Allocations totalling RM50.7 million or 4 per cent. He proposed that a total of RM789.1 million be allocated under the purview of the Finance Ministry, comprising RM600 million for Contributions to Statutory Funds, RM185.5 million for Treasury General Services expenditure, and RM3.6 million for the operating expenses of the Finance Ministry. Masidi also said that the proposed amount for Contributions to Statutory Funds, RM250 million or 41.7 per cent is intended as an addition to the Development Fund to reduce the deficit in the Development Account, which does not involve cash flow. At the same time, RM150 million or 25 per cent is a contribution to the Statutory Trust Fund for Road Maintenance to implement road maintenance projects across Sabah, he said. In addition, RM200 million or 33.3 per cent is proposed for the Special State Government Trust Fund to implement the People's Caring Touch Programme (SYUKUR); student assistance schemes such as the Higher Education Entry Cash Aid (BUDI), Sabah Tertiary Education Student Contribution (SENTOSA), Sabah Student Flight Subsidy (SUBFLY) and Sabah School Activities Contribution (SUKSES), as well as construction and repair of infrastructure such as water, roads and utilities, he added. Masidi also said that a total of RM185.5 million is also proposed under Treasury General Services, comprising RM54.4 million for Equity Investments; RM89.1 million for infrastructure projects, including upgrades to water treatment plants, new water pipe installations, minor infrastructure and other public facilities; and RM30 million in Domestic Grants allocated to Kota Kinabalu City Hall for waste cleaning in Kota Kinabalu waters including island areas, and contributions to non-governmental organisations. The remaining RM12 million is proposed for other public facility projects, including mosque upgrades and the construction of the Tawau International Cultural Centre, he said. Meanwhile, RM147.6 million is proposed for the Works Ministry and its departments to fund maintenance and repair of drainage systems, plant buildings and water pump houses, disaster recovery works, building maintenance, electrical wiring works, enforcement activities, and other administrative and operational expenses. He said that a sum of RM94.4 million is proposed for the Chief Minister's Department and its agencies to fund State Government scholarship sponsorships; maintenance and operation of mosques and suraus, Raudah parks, and other administrative and operational expenses. Meanwhile, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry and its departments are proposed an additional allocation of RM55.7 million for the maintenance of drainage systems, river cleaning, flood mitigation, and other administrative and operational expenses, he said. As for the Local Government and Housing Ministry and its departments are proposed an additional RM25.9 million, among others, to settle Advance Accounts for Special Financial Aid to Community Chiefs, Grant-In-Aid, Replacement Rate Contributions and Maintenance to Local Authorities, as well as other administrative and operational expenses, he said. As for the Community Development and People's Wellbeing Ministry and its department, an additional RM16.2 million is proposed, he said. Out of this, RM4.5 million is to support the implementation of the State Government's initiative to provide 100 haemodialysis machines to selected healthcare facilities across Sabah, he said. 'This is a caring effort to help kidney patients receive free treatment near their homes. Another RM11.1 million is to provide aid to victims of fires and floods, support for senior citizens, orphans and the poor, as well as the operation of Disabled Children's Educational Parks. The remaining allocation is proposed for other administrative and operational expenses of the ministry's departments and agencies,' he said. As for other ministries and state departments, an additional RM58 million is proposed to cover, among others, allowances for chairpersons of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), amounting to RM15.6 million; the organisation of the 11th SAGA Games in Tawau, amounting to RM8 million; and the remaining RM34.3 million for various administrative, operational and other service-related expenses, said Masidi. As for the additional development estimates 2025, Masidi informed the August House that the Supplementary Statement to the 2025 Development Estimates under Command Paper CMD.2 of 2025 requires an additional provision amounting to RM416,541,291.00, involving 83 expenditure heads under 10 ministries. 'Of this amount, RM224.5 million or 53.9 per cent is proposed under the State Fund, while RM188.5 million or 45.3 per cent will be financed via Federal loans. The remaining RM3.5 million or 0.8 per cent is financing under Federal Reimbursement,' he said. He also informed that the largest allocation under the Supplementary Development Estimates totalling RM254.9 million or 61.2 per cent is proposed for the Sabah Works Ministry to fund projects under the Public Works Department, State Water Department, Sabah Sewerage Services Department and Sabah State Railway Department. 'These include road projects for towns and small municipalities, the Special Water Supply Programme, Sewerage Schemes under local authorities, and railway track repairs. Of this total, RM187.5 million is for projects under Federal loans,' he said. He also mentioned that the second largest allocation totalling RM82.5 million is proposed for the Rural Development Ministry to fund Minor Rural Projects, Rural Poverty Eradication Projects, the Sabah People's Prosperity Housing Programme (RSRS), the Alternative Rural Electricity Supply Programme (BELBA – Solar Street Lighting and Generator Sets), and the Alternative Rural Water Supply Programme (BALBA – Clean Water Supply via Gravity Feed and Tube Wells). An allocation of RM38.5 million is also proposed for the Chief Minister's Department to fund Special Development Projects, Native Customary Rights (NCR) Land Measurement and the Sabah Satellite Positioning Reference Network under the Lands and Surveys Department, as well as upgrades to the Solid Waste Disposal System in Kota Kinabalu, construction of new mosques and religious schools under the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department, he said. Aside from that, an additional RM1 million is allocated to the Sabah Land Development Board to cover Federal loan financing, he said. Also proposed is an allocation of RM17.4 million proposed for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry, he said. 'Of this, RM13.9 million is proposed under the State Fund for projects under the Fisheries Department and the Irrigation and Drainage Department. The remaining RM3.5 million is under Federal Reimbursement to finance the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Construction Project in Kinarut under the Veterinary Services and Livestock Industry Department,' Masidi said. An allocation of RM7.7 million is proposed for the Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry. 'Of this, RM5.7 million is for Site Preparation Projects for Local Vendor Facilities in Salut and Infrastructure Construction in Industrial Zone 7 (IZ7) Phase 3. The remaining RM2 million is for infrastructure development projects in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), including the Extension of Electricity Supply for Street Lighting in Phases 1 and 2,' he said. Additionally, the Youth and Sports Ministry Sabah is proposed RM4.84 million to fund the construction and maintenance of Sabah Sports Complexes, he said. The Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing is proposed RM4.6 million. Projects include the construction of buildings for disabled children education parks, integrated complexes for persons with disabilities and the elderly, and old folks' homes, said Masidi. 'An additional RM2.9 million is proposed for the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry to finance the development of Sabah Parks, Tourism Asset Development and upgrades to heritage site facilities under the Sabah Museum Department,' he said. Finally, an allocation of RM2.3 million is proposed for the Local Government and Housing Ministry for landscaping projects and construction of office buildings for local authorities, and for the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for the final payment of the E-Desa Kg Pelakat, Sipitang Project, said Masidi. 'For the information of this August House, the additional provision proposed this year is largely for expenditure to address two key issues – water supply and roads. Of the total Supplementary Estimates proposed in this presentation, RM523.5 million is intended for this purpose. This demonstrates the commitment and seriousness of the State Government in resolving issues constantly raised by the public and politicised by parties with vested interests. (The actual requirement to address water and road issues exceeds RM2 billion annually),' said Masidi. The Bill was passed unanimously after debates.
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah legislators unite behind supplementary budget
Masidi KOTA KINABALU (July 7): The State Legislative Assembly today approved the Supplementary Supply Bill (Expenditure) 2025, which allocates an additional RM1,186,923,403.00 for 53 expenditure heads. In his winding-up speech, State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said that while debates and disagreements among assembly members are expected, they ultimately reflect a shared commitment — both from the government and opposition — to Sabah's development. 'I would like to thank and acknowledge all honourable members who raised various issues and proposals during the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, all with the shared goal of transforming Sabah into a progressive and prosperous state,' he said. Masidi assured that the State Government remains attentive to the matters raised, particularly those directly related to the Ministry of Finance. Addressing specific concerns raised during the debate, Masidi responded to Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob's proposal to channel at least RM500,000 in disaster relief funds through district offices via a dedicated disaster trust fund. He explained that while the proposal is acknowledged, the establishment of such a trust fund would involve a lengthy process as it must be tabled in the State Assembly under Section 10 of the Financial Procedure Act 1957. 'Therefore, the ministry believes it is more appropriate for the fund to be centralised under the Chief Minister's Department and managed by the State Disaster Management Committee,' said Masidi. He also said that the ministry is also aware of the need to enhance tourism assets and preserve historical heritage buildings, not only in the Sindumin district but throughout the state. 'However, such efforts remain subject to the State Government's financial capacity.' He also replied to Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang), who raised the issue of RM44 million expenditure under the Office of the Deputy State Secretary – Special Duties. 'The Ministry of Finance would like to clarify the matter raised by the honourable member for Senallang regarding the RM44 million expenditure under the Office of the Deputy State Secretary – Special Duties, intended to support students and educational institutions in Sabah,' said Masidi. He then detailed that the expenditure of RM44,000,000 is for the Computer Aid (BAIK) programme by providing 1,000 laptops for IPT students from e-Kasih or B40 families totalling RM2,000,000; the BUDI (IPT Registration Cash Aid) or one-off aid of RM2,000 or RM1,500 for newly registered B40/M40 students entering IPT amounting RM10,000,000; the BAKTI Exam Cash Assistance (one off RM200 aid for 40,000 B40 students sitting for SPM/STPM/STAM) amounting RM8,000,000; BAGUS-PTA aid (RM2,000 aid for 1,500 Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBGs) to support their activities amounting RM3,000,000; BISBAH-school equipment aid (equipment support for 1,600 schools) amounting RM10,000,000; BISTARI – State Education Fund (RM100 savings assistance per newborn via SSPN savings) amounting RM2,000,000; AKSA – Excellence Award (Awards for students/educators who bring honour to Sabah nationally/internationally.) amounting RM100,000; BANTU – Special Education Programme Aid (Funding for beneficial educational programmes) amounting RM1,300,000; SEMESTA – Sabah Student Secretariat (financial aid for Sabah student associations across Malaysia/the world) amounting RM300,000; BALKIS – Minor School Repairs amounting RM4,000,000 for repairs under RM50,000 for school infrastructure; MAHAS – Sabah Halal Council amounting RM1,500,000 for the coordination, enforcement, halal expos and certification; BAKPA – Religious Activities Aid amounting RM1,300,000 for special grants for religious programmes; Sabah Language and Literature Council amounting RM500,000 for support for language and literature-related activities. He also commented on the question raised by Tungku assemblyman Assaffal P. Alian concerning the expenditures in CMD1. He said that his ministry shall provide the assemblyman with detailed clarification. 'However, we hope there will be no misunderstanding regarding the figures mentioned, whether hundreds of thousands or millions, under each sub-item. Upon review, these do not involve any additional millions as suggested by the honourable member for Tungku,' said Masidi. 'On the matter of the additional allocation under the Ministry of Rural Development, this pertains to the Special Allocation Programme, which aims to supplement the insufficient annual budget approved for 2025. The allocation is meant to fund small-scale projects across all state constituencies, including those held by the opposition,' he said. As for the queries from the honourable members for Lamag and Tungku regarding the Federal loans and the higher repayments from the State Consolidated Fund, these loans are essential to finance water and sewerage supply projects costing over RM100 million annually, he said. He explained that these loans allow the State Government to focus on other key infrastructure projects that drive economic growth. Furthermore, repayments will only commence after a deferment period of five to seven years, allowing the State to enjoy earlier development while reducing development expenditure in the short term, he said. Meanwhile, Darau assemblyman Azhari Datuk Matussin inquired about the flood mitigation projects worth RM2.3 million and Masidi explained that these included the flood mitigation plan for Sungai Kinarut, Kinarut Basin, Papar District; flood mitigation plan for Sungai Petagas, Putatan – Kg Sendil Phase 2; flood mitigation plan in Sipitang – proposed drainage works for Sungai Naparan Hilir and related works; and flood mitigation plan in Sandakan (Mile 3.5), Sri Taman, Sandakan. He also replied to Lamag, Bugaya and Sekong assemblymen, who highlighted item S26-Contributions to Statutory Funds and provided the breakdown, which covered Contribution to the Development Fund – RM250 million to reduce the deficit, not involving cash flow; Contribution to the Statutory Trust Fund for Road Maintenance – RM150 million to cover concession payments and urgent repairs not covered under existing contracts; and Contribution to the Special Trust Fund – RM200 million to finance programmes such as SYUKUR (People's Gratitude Programme), BUDI, SENTOSA, SUBFLY, SUKSES, and infrastructure development including water, roads and utilities. Masidi also explained that the overall increase in administrative emolument payments is due to the phase one adjustment of the Public Service Remuneration Scheme (SSPA), with an 8% salary increase implemented in December 2024. 'As the 2025 budget was tabled and passed in November 2024, the increase could not be accounted for at the time. The additional provision also covers the Special Financial Aid (BKK) payments in January, Aidilfitri and Kaamatan 2025,' said Masidi. He also said that the RM25 million allocation under D11 – Chief Minister's Department is meant for basic infrastructure financing in both urban and rural areas under the Special Development Programme and the RM3.7 million additional allocation under JHEAINS is to finance: New mosque construction: RM1.01 million; Islamic Community Centre in Penampang; upgrading Papar District Mosque; New mosque in Kg Tambulion, Kota Belud; Religious school construction: RM2.69 million; SMAN in Tambunan; teacher quarters, academic block, astaka, and field at SMAN Toh Puan Hajjah Rahmah (Phase 3); and SAN and JHEAINS Kindergarten in Pekan Sook (Keningau), Kg Tebobon (Menggatal), and Telupid. He also said that under D19 of the Rural Development Ministry, the additional funds are proposed for poverty eradication programmes which includes estimated repayments (e.g., service costs, wages) as per management agreements; home repairs under RM15,000 per house – approximately 33 homes in 2025, including electrical posts; maintenance of damaged village roads, especially flood-prone areas, to aid residents' economic activities; solar lighting supply to off-grid villages in Kota Belud, Pitas, Nabawan, Semporna, Beluran, Lahad Datu and Tamparuli; and programmes to uplift rural living standards. Meanwhile, the RM1.9 million additional provision under D39 for the Ministry of Local Government and Housing is for capital grants to local authorities for road maintenance and other capital expenditures, including: Proposed new District Council Office in Putatan; and construction and completion of new District Council office in Ranau. Meanwhile, an additional RM300,000 is proposed to upgrade visitor facilities at Bukit Tengkorak Archaeological Site, Semporna, as part of the existing project under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), initiated on 4 March 2025. Works include upgrading the boardwalk, shelters and observation platforms at the summit, he said. Those who debated the Bill were Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang), Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin (Nabawan), Datuk Ignatius Dorell Leiking (Moyog), Assaffal P. Alian (Tungku), Azhari Datuk Matussin (Darau), Datuk Seri Panglima Moktar Radin (Lamag), Datuk Hassan Gani P. Amir (Sebatik), Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong (Sulabayan), Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong), Arunarsin Taib (Gum-Gum), Jamil Datuk Hamzah (Bugaya), Sarifuddin Hata (Merotai), Alias Sani (Sekong), Datuk Wong Hong Jun (Tanjong Aru), Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan), Calvin Chong Ket Kiun (Elopura), Datuk Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian), Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan (nominated assemblyman), Justin Wong Yung Bin (Sri Tanjong), Datuk Jonnybone J. Kurum (Telupid), Datuk Rina Jainal (Kukusan), Datuk Juil Nuatim (Limbahau), Datuk Amisah Yassin (nominated assemblywoman), Datuk Mokran Ingkat (Sungai Manila), Datuk Hamild @ Hamid Awang (Balung).
