LION’S SHARE FOR SABAH, SARAWAK

Both states get 50pc of the RM5.83b for rural development

SARAWAK and Sabah have been receiving the lion’s share from the national budget for rural development annually. This asserts the commitment by the government to improve the livelihood of the rural folks in the two states as Malaysia progresses to become a high-income nation.

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said this in the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) community dialogue here yesterday.

“For this year, the ministry received RM5.83 billion for rural development, of which 50 per cent was allocated for Sarawak and Sabah.

“Such an amount is a manifestation of how the government has initiated proactive measures to improve the livelihood of rural folks in both states.

“Like other ministries, we also want to bridge the income gap between the rural folks and people living in urban areas nationwide.”

Also present was Machan state assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong.

More than 300 youths attended the dialogue, the third TN50 community dialogue organised by the ministry after Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Terengganu.

Alexander, who is also the Kapit member of parliament, said a total of 21 ideas and suggestions were received during the one-day dialogue.

“There are some good suggestions, but some fall short of this dialogue’s objective.

“Nevertheless, the government is addressing all of the current issues affecting the people.

“We hope that the younger generation made use of this dialogue to voice their aspirations for the future of Sarawak and Malaysia,” he said.

The next TN50 community dialogue organised by the ministry will be held in Sabah next month.