Karim hopes Sarawak will not be sidelined in Budget 2019

KUCHING: It is hoped that Sarawak will not be sidelined when Budget 2019 is tabled on Nov 2.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak should be given more fund to develop its infrastructure and for other development purposes.

“Sarawak is big, and has not been appropriately given the necessary development fund all these years, which has led to it being years behind in all aspects compared to states in Peninsular Malaysia. I thus hope that states which are not governed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) like Sarawak, not be sidelined,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) vice president, added that many rural schools are in a dilapidated condition, while hospitals are lacking and roads are in bad condition in Sarawak.

“Internet accessibility and connectivity are much to be desired, and we hope that these could also be addressed,” he said.

A political analyst Datuk Peter Minos, meanwhile, said little is to be expected from the upcoming budget.

“Very little is expected, so Sarawak has to stand on her own feet,” he said.

Budget 2019 is the first one by the new PH federal government after winning the May 9 general election.