For comparison, RM60 million was allocated in Budget 2020. However, the Ministry of Works has since clarified that the Rm100 allocation is just a ‘token sum’ to make the code remain active.
With the debate on our country’s Budget 2021 still heating up in Parliament, one peculiar allocation in the Budget’s federal expenditure estimation has caught the eye for the wrong reasons. Specifically, the Ministry of Works’ allocation for code 05100 (Sabah major road construction) of its budget being at such a small value of RM100 that many thought it was a typing error on the ministry’s part. However, that proved to not be the case.
First noticed by Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu, Chan Foong Hin, he brought up the matter during the parliamentary debate on the Ministry of Works’ budget debate. In the budget, two codes were given RM100 allocation each, the other one being 08270 or for construction of major roads and repair of roads respectively.
In a press statement on the 6th of December, Foong Hin questioned why there was such a significant drop in the allocation for Sabah major road construction in Budget 2021. For comparison, the allocation given in Budget 2020 for the same code was RM60 million. Foong Hin commented,
“It was such a ridiculous sum that I have questioned the ministry whether there had been a typo error.”
The Ministry of Works’ federal expenditure estimation for Budget 2021.
Foong Hin subsequently submitted a question to the ministry regarding the matter on 24th November and received a written reply that confirmed that the RM100 allocation is indeed legitimate and not a typing error. The Ministry of Works clarified that the RM100 allocation was given to merely keep the code in existence as there are currently existing projects in Sabah funded during Budget 2020. These projects include the construction and repair works at Jalan Donggongon and Simpang Papar Spur in the state.
The Kota Kinabalu MP further claimed that with this decision, the Federal Government is neglecting the welfare of Sabahans as the state of the roads there has been subpar. Foong Hin added that roads are crucial to economic development as a good road network is central in fighting against poverty by providing access to employment, social, health and education services. He stressed,
“Basically, this government is saying that since there is already an allocation back in 2020 for roads… It is alright to neglect the rest of Sabah and allocate nothing whatsoever,”
MP for Kota Kinabalu, Chan Foong Hin speaking in Parliament back in August.
What do you guys think of this allocation? Have the Federal Government overlooked the interests of Sabahans by neglecting allocation for major roads construction? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
