PBB Youth welcomes state budget for next year
PBB Youth Wing welcomes and fully supports the proposed State Budget 2019 which was tabled by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Sitting here yesterday.
Its chief Gerald Rentap Jabu said the historic budget featured a huge allocation for development expenditure of which more than 60 per cent will be allocated for rural development.
“The Sarawak government is focusing on six key strategies to improve the state’s economy to become more competitive and one of the strategies that has attracted our attention is the economic growth driven by investment through the involvement of the private sector to further enhance our economic capabilities,” he told a press conference at the Media Room of the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Complex after the tabling of the state budget.
During the press conference, Rentap also informed that later in his debate on the state budget, he will propose for a Sarawak Youth Development Fund ( ‘ Tabung Pembangunan Belia Sarawak’) to be established.
This fund, he said, is for all Sarawakian youths ages 40 and below to provide them with the opportunity to take up micro loans to start their own business regardless of race or political leanings.
“This is something that’s quite important and we will try to grab the attention of the state government to support this proposal.”
Meanwhile, PBB deputy youth chief Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman described the proposed state budget as significant particularly in terms of the new policy whereby every newborn Sarawakian child will be given a one-off incentive of RM1,000 irrespective of ethnicity, religious beliefs and social status.
He said the incentive, which starts next year, will no doubt bring benefit to the new generation.
“Apart from that, this budget also emphasises on the development of affordable housing (RMM) for low-income groups.
“This is no doubt good news for our people particularly the youths to own their own house at an affordable price,” he said.