Sabah tables RM3b budget for 2011

The Sabah government, recently praised for its prudent spending in the Auditor-General’s report, tabled a RM3.07 billion budget today with one third of its allocation aimed at developing the state’s infrastructure and utilities.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who tabled the budget during today’s assembly sitting, said in a press statement that the budget was a continuation of the state’s plan to achieve developed status by 2015 and was aimed at complementing the Prime Minister’s many development initiatives under his Government Transformation Programme, the New Economic Model and the National Key Results Areas.

“In our development programmes designed under Budget 2011, we also took into consideration our revenue and the strength of our reserves, revenue obtained following the economic recovery and encouraging commodity prices.

“Our expenditure is also not entirely dependent on the state revenue collected during the year, for if so, development would be stagnant.

“Thus, after taking into account our the strength of our reserves, it is hoped that our expenditure will continue the momentum and dynamism of our country’s development,” he said.

In Sabah’s Budget 2011, themed “Prosperity through a holistic approach”, of the RM3.068.66 billion total allocated, RM1.023.08 million or RM1 billion would go for the development of the state’s infrastructure and utilities.

Musa noted that this was to help the state build its capacity and become a catalyst for economic growth in the country.

A total of RM413.81 million has been allocated for the agriculture sector, including fisheries, livestock and irrigation while RM210.81 million would go for youth development and RM201.84 million, for human capital development.

As an extension of its rural development and poverty eradication programme, the state government has also allocated a total of RM162.12 million while the tourism sector will receive a RM116.27 boost.

The state has also estimated a revenue of RM2,747.94 million for 2011, a notch higher than its estimates for 2010 (without bonds) which amounted to RM2.5 billion.

The state also announced that the special annual allocations to state constituencies would be increased to RM1 million, RM400,000 higher than its previous allocation of RM600,000.

“Every assemblyman will receive an allocation of RM100,000 more to help the poor in their respective areas,” Musa said.

He also issued a stern reminder to all state ministers, government departments, agencies and the civil service to exercise prudent spending but at the same time, ensure that the government’s objectives were achieved.

“Our financial resources should be managed more efficiently. We must ensure that public expenditure continues to bolster the objectives of the organisation as a whole by applying the ‘value for money’ concept and taking into account the increase in productivity levels and innovation,” he said.

He stressed that the government’s operating expenditure should be sustainable and funds should only be spent according to needs in order to prevent wastages.

“All activities must be carried out efficiently, effectively, prudently and in accordance with its actual purpose of benefitting the community,” he said.

In his recent report, Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang offered praise to both the Sabah and Penang state governments for having delivered excellent management and financial performance.

Of the 13 states, both Penang and Sabah were the only two that received the “good” rating in the National Audit Report 2009 (NAR) for its prudent financial management.

“Our Budget 2011 is a budget for sustainable development. What is most important is that it brings benefits to all segments of society with not one community sidelines, as according the the Prime Minister’s 1 Malaysia concept,” said Musa today. - Malaysian Insider