Pensiangan:Budget 2027 highlights the federal government's focus on enhancing infrastructure and socioeconomic development in Sabah's interior, according to Pensiangan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister stated that this commitment is demonstrated by the record federal allocation of RM18.7 billion for Sabah, an increase in the interim special grant to RM1.5 billion this year, and efforts to address issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Arthur, who is also the Sook assemblyman, emphasized the need for improved connectivity and basic infrastructure in the interior regions. He noted that the RM3.3 billion allocation for road projects in Sabah and Sarawak, aimed at completing the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road 1 and Pan Borneo Highway Sabah Phase 1B by the end of next year, will significantly enhance mobility and local economic activities.
An additional RM350 million allocation for federal road maintenance will prioritize local contractors in Classes G1 to G4 in Sabah and Sarawak. This funding will accelerate public road repairs and support small-scale entrepreneurs.
The government aims to reduce living costs for rural residents by expanding essential goods distribution to new areas such as Kampung Terian in Penampang and Kampung Sarawak, ensuring affordable daily necessities.
Security and administrative services will be bolstered through constructing a new Immigration Office in Keningau, providing quarters at the Papar Immigration Detention Depot, and stabilizing electricity supply with the Statcom system and the Southern Link Transmission Line.
The appointment of a permanent Sabah representative to the Inland Revenue Board, along with the transfer of gas regulatory powers backed by RM600 million in funding, is expected to strengthen the state's economy.
For human capital development, Arthur welcomed the increase of Public Service Department scholarships for Borneo-born students to 4,200 annually and nearly RM1.3 billion allocated for repairing and upgrading dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
The budget also includes initiatives for small-scale entrepreneurs, such as upgrading hawker centers at Arena Niaga Kunak and Hentian Telupid, organizing Tamu Desa events, and extending a RM300-per-hectare ploughing incentive to local paddy farmers, which are anticipated to boost the community economy.
Arthur urged Sabah's leaders and residents to collaborate in ensuring the successful implementation of budget initiatives to prevent any region or community from being left behind in the country's development.