Latest news with #RM523.5mil
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah reps clash over steel mega project controversy
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's two-day state assembly began on a fiery note after an argument erupted between an opposition Parti Warisan assemblyman and a state minister. The clash was sparked by the ongoing controversy surrounding a RM31bil steel investment project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd. During Question Time, Calvin Chong (Warisan-Elopura) suddenly interjected in Hakka, repeatedly asking 'Ngai cho coi lai hang?' ('Where did I go wrong?'), after state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe (DAP-Luyang) accused him of failing to submit a formal question about the project to the assembly. Phoong, the Sabah DAP chairman, accused Chong of not submitting a formal question to the assembly, but instead had chosen to 'make noise' outside the House. The heated exchange over the Esteel Enterprise project in Sipitang's Oil and Gas Industrial Park reflected escalating political tensions as the state assembly nears the end of its five-year term on Nov 11. Chong lodged a police report on the project last month, alleging failure in the implementation of the project. Despite repeated calls by Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya for both assemblymen to sit down, the shouting match continued until he moved on to the next question. The Sabah assembly also passed a whopping RM1.86bil in additional funding to address longstanding issues related to water supply and road infrastructure under the 2025 Supplementary Supply Bill tabled by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Masidi said the extra money of RM523.5mil was for solving the state's persistent water and road problems while the remaining RM600mil was for statutory fund contributions, RM204mil for administrative expenses, RM195mil for operational needs and RM84mil for domestic grants. In winding up the debates, Masidi said that all allocations under the Supplementary Bill were accounted for, and would benefit the people and help finance infrastructure development plans. State Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) questioned the need for such a high supplementary budget as the state had already approved RM6.7bil for Sabah Budget 2025. He said that Sabah's total spending was almost RM8bil this year, yet there had been little tangible returns for the rakyat. 'We are spending billions but how much revenue are we actually generating? 'With this scale of spending, I believe Sabah is now facing a serious deficit,' he said when debating the Supplementary Bill. 'We will do a full audit to find out where the money was used,' he added. Mohd Shafie added that every sen of public funds spent must see measurable outcomes, such as job creation and income generation or directly solve issues affecting people's daily lives, particularly the persistent water and electricity problems in rural areas. 'The people don't want luxury, they just want basic necessities like water to drink and shower with, and use the toilet,' he said. The assembly sitting continues today.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah approves nearly RM1.2bil in additional allocation to address water and road issues
KOTA KINABALU: A whopping RM1,186,923,403 in additional allocation has been approved by the Sabah Legislative Assembly, with the bulk of the funds to be channelled towards addressing long-standing issues related to water supply and road infrastructure. Tabling the 2025 Supplementary Supply Bill, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the additional funding was essential to ensure the smooth operation of the government's administration through to the end of the year. The approved amount will support 53 expenditure heads, spanning key sectors including infrastructure, welfare, education and public services. Masidi said a significant portion, RM523.5mil, has been earmarked specifically for tackling water and road problems that continue to plague various districts across Sabah. These, he stressed, were issues repeatedly raised by the public and often politicised. He explained that the RM1.19bil would be used across six core categories, including RM600mil for contributions to statutory funds, RM204mil for administrative expenses, RM195mil for operational costs, RM84milfor domestic grants, RM54.4mil for investments and RM50.7mil for special provisions. Of the statutory contributions, RM250mil is to be added to the State Development Fund to reduce the development account deficit, while RM150mil is to be added to the Road and Bridge Maintenance Trust Fund for urgent maintenance work statewide. Another RM200mil has been allocated under the State Government Special Trust Fund, supporting community-focused initiatives such as the People's Touch Programme (Syukur) and student assistance schemes like Budi, Sentosa, Subfly and Sukses. He added that these funds would also support water and utility projects. Masidi also highlighted the RM185.5mil allocated under General Treasury Services, which included RM54.4mil for equity investments, RM89.1mil for infrastructure upgrades such as water treatment plant improvements and pipe installations and RM30mil in domestic grants to Kota Kinabalu City Hall for marine waste clean-up and NGO support. Additional provisions were also made for various ministries, including RM147.6mil for the Public Works Ministry, RM94.4mil for the Chief Minister's Department and RM55.7mil for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry. The state's Community Development and People's Wellbeing Ministry was allocated RM16.2mil, including RM4.5mil for the provision of 100 haemodialysis machines and RM11.1mil for disaster relief, assistance to vulnerable groups, and special needs children's programmes. Masidi stressed that every ringgit spent must bring real returns, whether through job creation, infrastructure improvements or better public services. 'This is the people's money. It must be used wisely and bring meaningful impact to their lives,' he said. While the bulk of the debate centred on the RM1.19bil operational provision, the State Assembly also approved an additional RM416.5mil under the 2025 Development Estimates. This separate allocation will finance 83 development projects across ten ministries, bringing the total supplementary budget to RM1.6bil. The development funds include RM254.9mil for the Public Works Ministry, RM82.5mil for rural development programmes, and RM38.5mil for special projects under the Chief Minister's Department. Masidi also reiterated the government's commitment to addressing infrastructure gaps and uplifting the people's quality of life, especially in rural and underserved areas. 'Our focus remains on delivering real solutions to the rakyat's most pressing needs such as clean water, reliable roads, education, and access to basic services,' he said.
