Upko demands 5 items to be included in Budget 2023

 

Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau said these demands would boost Sabah’s economy and ensure the well-being of the people. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Sabah-based Upko is demanding that the finance ministry include five items in Budget 2023 to improve the state’s economic development.

In a statement, Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau said the five demands were made in a memorandum submitted to finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz in an engagement session yesterday.

Tangau said the first item was to ensure that 40% of the net revenue collected by the federal government from Sabah each year is returned to the state.

This, he said, would be in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 enshrined in the Federal Constitution and allow the state government to improve the lives of Sabahans.

Secondly, the Tuaran MP said the budget should include a term for all industrial parks in Sabah to be gazetted as free trade zones in order to boost investments in the state’s economic activities and manufacturing sector as well as improve its technology exchange and job creation.

Citing Sabah’s poverty rate, with eight of the state’s districts being among Malaysia’s 10 poorest, Tangau said poverty eradication was Upko’s third demand.

“Upko demands that special attention be given to these districts and that available funds for loans in these areas be doubled,” he said.

As for its fourth demand, Tangau said the budget must include an allocation of funds for the recruitment of Kadazandusun language teachers.

Lastly, Tangau also said a special allocation should be provided to upgrade roads in Sabah’s rural areas.

“All of these demands are to ensure that Sabah’s economy prospers and the well-being of Sabahans improves.”

Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 7. - FMT