‘Sweetest’ budget viewed positively
KOTA KINABALU: Although the 2018 Budget was dubbed by naysayers as a mere “election budget”, it is generally viewed more positively in terms of how it will benefit Sabah.
Edward A. Lajinga, a company manager cum lecturer said he was happy to see that the federal government was serious in improving the education system in Sabah.
“Since I am in the education industry, I believe this budget will help improve young Sabahans via access to better education facilities, which will expose them with more awareness,” Edward said.
He said young Sabahans will have more opportunities to be on par with their counterparts in West Malaysia and even the rest of the world in terms of knowledge and activities.
On claims by certain parties that the 2018 Budget was nothing but an election budget, Edward said there would always be people who are critical of the government.
“As Malaysians, and Sabahans in particular, we should be grateful for whatever the government has planned for us.
“We have been enjoying peace and opportunity to grow as individuals as well as a community, so why complain?” he said.
Kanul Gindol, the chairman of newly-registered Dewan Perniagaan Dusun Tindal and Tobilung Sabah, described the 2018 Budget as one the ‘sweetest’ federal budget in recent years.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has clearly sharpened his ability to hit targets ahead of a crucial general election,” said Kanul, who is also a social activist. He said Sabah and Sarawak were poised to gain from the increased allocation for infrastructures.
However, Kanul noted that planning or intention was just one part of the budget.
“The other components are implementation, monitoring and appraisal. These are equally important,” he said, adding that he felt particularly sceptical about one of the factors in the recent budget, which is the issue of rising cost of living in Sabah.
Kanul opined that the budget would not be able to solve this problem as the cost of living was disproportionate to household income in Sabah, adding that poverty continues to loom over the lives of the less fortunate community in the state.
He agreed that the budget was an election budget, but it is a “good election budget”.
“To me, it is a good election budget. Our Prime Minister did the right thing with this budget,” he said.
Dr Zahrul Faizi Hussien, the chief executive officer of a local company which caters for water and power sources also views the 2018 Budget favourably.
“The budget is really balanced. It fulfils the needs of the community. As a corporate body, our company welcomes the government’s support to improve the country’s economy, especially here in the state of Sabah.
“When Sabah’s economy improves, the need for electricity sources will also increase. This will definitely benefit our company,” Zahrul said.
Keningau UPKO chie, Datuk Justin Guka said this budget is the mother of all budgets for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government, and will bring meaning and victory to BN in the 14th general election.
Liawan community development leader, Sahanip Jamil, said the 2018 Budget benefits all societies and people in the country.
He noted that from January next year until 2022, new born babies will be awarded RM200 Initial Savings Fund through PNB Trust Unit while the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) will be retained.
He noted that Sabah this time will receive a substantial allocation of RM1 billion for repairs of school infrastructures across the state.
“Interior communities hope this huge allocation will solve the problem of infrastructure and school buildings in the area,” he said.
Keningau Malaysia Education Service Retirement Officers Association information chief, Haji Yazid Haji Mohd Hasnan Tawik, also thanked the Prime Minister for granting special assistance of RM750 to government pensioners in the 2018 budget.
“This is the government’s recognition of pensioners contributions while in service. Even though the grant is only RM750 it is a boon to retirees,” he said.
Keningau parliamentary liaison chief, Augustine Nain, said, this comprehensive budget benefits all the people in the country.
He said incentives to civil servants would help improve productivity. However, private workers should also be given attention as they are the biggest contributors to the country’s economic growth.