Kho Teck Wan on Infrastructure, health and Education Development budget

suppadmin | November 9, 2020

SUPP Central Woman Chief, Kho Teck Wan thinks most Sarawakian are wondering why Sabah is allocated RM5.1 billion to improve infrastructure, health and education facilities while Sarawak continues to receive less despite contributing more to the national coffer. RM4.5 billion is allocated to Sarawak in 2021 by the Perikatan Nasional government for infrastructure development fund.

She asked MP Chong Chieng Jen of Stampin and his fellow opposition leaders not to rub salt in the wound with the development budget because when Sarawak is short changed, every Sarawakian loses as when the Pakatan Harapan government allocated RM4 billion in 2019 and RM4.4 billion in 2020 respectively for Sarawak, the amount was nothing to be proud of.

As the budget 2021 is still being debated in parliament, Kho hoped our members of parliament regardless of political divide will fight for Sarawak so we get a big allocation in RM2 billion Green Technology Financing Scheme 3.0. Sarawak is the only state embarking on hydrogen energy research in SE Asia.

“Remember when Hasil’s website was totally unresponsive due to heavy traffic caused by BPN and BSH applications during MCO? It is a great health concern to see a long line of people applying for interstate travel permits at the police headquarter; and for license renewal at the Inland Revenue Office during the MCO. So I am glad to see RM14 million is allocated to infrastructure upgrades and the digitization of government services. I hope to see the budget focuses primarily on migrating customer service counter to online transaction

According to the PWC’s Budget 2021 Overview, The World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction Recovery (GFDRR) reported net benefit of infrastructure investment is $4 for every $1 invested, especially in the low and medium income countries. I am glad to see the budget 2021 invest on emerging technologies and digital infrastructure especially RM1 billion for Industrial Digital Transformation Scheme and RM7.4 billion to increase broadband service in 2021 and 2022.

When the Federal government announced RM700 million worth of grants and loans to finance digital transformation of SMEs in June 2020, I had expressed my concern that the amount was inadequate. So to see RM150 million in grants for the digitalisation and automation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in budget 2021 is quite disappointing. Automation not only increases productivity but greatly reduces our dependency on foreign workers, ” she said.

Kho also expressed gladness that banks will relax the condition for micro SME and start-ups on the RM1.2 billion microcredit schemes and our start-ups will fully utilize the facility.

The tax incentives, she stated for certain industries will be extended to 2022 which is welcoming for the 1% decrease in income tax for those earning between RM50,000 to RM70,000 per year, however, we definitely want to see more income tax reduction for other income earners as well as SMEs during this difficult time.

‘This pandemic shows us that Malaysia is depending on imports of test kits and other medical supplies. So I am glad to see the announcement of tax incentives for companies producing Covid-19 vaccines to invest in Malaysia, and RM100 million for research into diseases, including vaccine development. It is a move that will create job opportunities for skilled workers in Malaysia, ” she said.

” I would like to see our members of parliament fight for the special RM1,000 grant for traders, taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers and tour guides as allocated specifically for Sabah only.Front-liners in particular are scarifying family time to help people and saving our economy, therefore I am glad to see RM30 million allocated to establish kindergartens in government buildings especially hospitals, ” she added.