2018 Budget covers all – Ramlee

SEMPORNA: The 2018 Budget will not give space to any party, especially the opposition, to seek weaknesses in the Barisan Nasional government as the budget covers all aspect, said Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Ramlee Marhaban.

Ramlee, who is also Sabah Umno deputy head of information and Bugaya assemblyman, said everything have been given attention in the budget, including matters that were once used by the opposition to criticise and mock BN.

He also described the 2018 Budget as the mother of all budgets considering its inclusiveness of all aspects.

"The budget not only gives attention to development but also in reducing cost of living of the people.

"All aspects including infrastructures, education, security and many others were given attention in this budget," Ramlee said.

Furthermore, the budget will benefit the people from all walks of life and described it as practical rather than designed simply to buy the people's hearts, he said.

He added that the budget was something that could be achieved and implemented by the government according to the country's financial capacity.

Meanwhile, Ramlee also welcomed the allocations for Sabah in the 2018 Budget including development of infrastructure such as the Pan Borneo Highway, communications, access to clean water and electric supply, which will benefit the people.

He pointed out that the allocation provided for the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) also shows that the government always prioritises security.

"The government is aware that security is very important as it could guarantee the prosperity of the country and people.

"The allocation could be used by ESSCom to further empower security, which could boost the confidence of the people as well as tourists in our security," Ramlee said.