KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor described the National 2026 Budget as a progressive budget that is prudent and yet does not overlook the interests of the various communities, especially the less fortunate.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to the Prime Minister for presenting a progressive National Budget.
“This budget, which focuses on the nation’s economic development, also provides an allocation for Sabah amounting to RM6.9 billion that we believe will greatly benefit the state,” he said when met after viewing the live telecast of the Budget tabling by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister today.
Anwar had announced that the RM6.9 billion allocation for Sabah next year was the highest ever from the Federal Government.
“This Budget is not merely about numbers. It is the result of Sabah’s political stability under GRS and the Federal Government’s confidence in the state’s leadership. Sabah is now truly being mainstreamed into Malaysia’s development,” said Hajiji.
In the National Budget, Anwar had proposed RM765 million for the construction of the Southern Link electricity line, which Hajii said would benefit the people of Sabah as a whole.
Also included in the Budget were the repairs of infrastructure damaged during the recent natural disaster affecting Sabah, including the IPG Gaya, at a cost of RM220 million, as well as RM39 million for Phase 2 of the flood mitigation project.
Hajiji also thanked the Federal Government for its continuous support of the Pan Borneo Sabah project with the provision of RM1.67 billion for next year.
He also commended the Federal Government for its commitment to honour the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and meet Sabah’s demands, including by increasing the interim special grant to RM600 million from RM300 million this year.
Also present, were Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, State Secretary datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong, Assistant Ministers and senior government officials.-pr/BNN
