SUPP welcomes one-off RM1,000 incentive for every new-born Sarawakian

SARAWAK United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting welcomes the state government’s new policy whereby every new-born child will be given one- off incentive of RM1 000.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, when tabling the Sarawak Budget 2019 in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday, said the incentive will be given to every new-born child irrespective of ethnicity, religious beliefs and social status, as long as they are Sarawakian.

He emphasised that the incentive can only be withdrawn upon them attaining the age of 18 and is meant for their further education or as capital to pursue their career.

Ting, who is Piasau assemblyman said that he had proposed RM2,000 for each new-born child last July.

“But of course, RM1,000 is also good. It is good for people to plan ahead for their younger generation,” he told reporters when met after the DUN sitting yesterday.

Ting regarded the 2019 State Budget as the first budget where the state government “has so much money to spend, especially for rural development.”

“This will enable rural areas to be on a par with the urban areas,” said Ting.

He also expressed his relief and gratitude to Abang Johari over the latter’s announcement that the proposed 2019 Budget is expected to generate a surplus of RM122 million.

“It helps to ensure that the state government will not touch into our (financial) reserve. This is very important.

“People outside were worried as they thought a big portion of the huge expenditure that our Chief Minister has recently announced will be taken out from our reserve and this is not the case as we still have a surplus of RM122 million.

“People did not foresee that our Chief Minister has now under the Federal Constitution allow us to impose tax on petroleum products, and this is what the government is doing,” said Ting, adding that the amount of money collected from the sales tax will be sufficient for the people.

“This is indeed an excellent budget for Sarawak people.

“With this kind of revenue we will continue to see more money will be collected each year and more money for Sarawak expenditure, and that is wonderful,” he added.