Abang Johari said the 2025 budget will continue to be an expansionary one, aimed at boosting government spending to stimulate the state’s economic growth.
“The budget renews and reaffirms our commitment to championing the welfare of the rakyat through targeted measures aimed at alleviating the financial burdens of low and middle-income groups and continuing to implement vital people-centric programmes and projects,” Bernama quoted him as saying when tabling the budget at the state assembly in Kuching today.
Based on the theme “Together Building a Prosperous Future”, the budget is setting aside RM10.9 billion for development purposes and RM4.9 billion for operating expenditures.
Abang Johari said the state anticipates a revenue of RM14.2 billion next year, with tax and non-tax revenue totalling RM6.2 billion and RM7 billion, respectively.
“I am pleased to inform the state assembly that with the projected revenue of RM14.2 billion and total ordinary expenditure of RM13.7 billion, the 2025 state budget is expected to generate a surplus of RM486 million,” he said.
He said the budget, the largest in the state’s history, will continue to provide allocations to key sectors to accelerate economic development and eventually make the state economy prosperous, robust and resilient.
“Through this expansionary budget, we are making substantial investments in infrastructure while placing the well-being of the rakyat at the forefront of our priorities,” he said.
More training for civil servants
The Sarawak government has allocated RM18.5 million to fund training and development initiatives, aimed at fostering a high-performance culture within the state civil service.
Abang Johari said these initiatives would target various levels within the civil service, starting with competency-based training for support staff to enhance their skills and expertise.
He also said executive leadership programmes would be included for top management, specifically designed to cultivate strategic thinking and the leadership capabilities required to tackle complex, contemporary challenges.
The government has also earmarked RM3.55 billion to kickstart a major housing scheme, aimed at addressing the critical shortage of government housing in the state.
The project is set to begin in 2025, with an initial budget allocation of RM200 million.
Easing financial burden of low-income groups
Abang Johari also announced Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS), a new financial assistance initiative, to alleviate the financial burden of the low-income groups who are most affected by the rising cost of living.
He said the aid will range from RM250 to RM800 annually according to the recipient’s eligibility.
“Eligible recipients must be Sarawakians residing in Sarawak. Those with a household income of RM5,000 and below will receive assistance worth RM800.
“Ssenior citizens without partners and children with income of RM5,000 and below will receive assistance worth RM400.
“Single persons with income of RM2,500 and below will receive assistance worth RM250,” he said, adding the assistance will help them to purchase basic food items.
The premier said the state government will allocate RM450 million next year for this purpose to benefit not less than 850,000 recipients.
Most of the SKAS recipients will also be receiving financial contribution under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said Sarawakian tertiary students from families of lower income groups will receive a one-off financial assistance in the form of pocket money worth RM1,200.
“The financial assistance will benefit 25,000 Sarawakian students from families of lower income groups with household per capita income of RM1,500 or below per month.
“The money given is to be spent on food and essential goods to help them mitigate the cost of living. Under this budget, a sum of RM30 million will be allocated for this purpose,” he said.
Apart from that, Abang Johari said the state government will continue to provide National Higher Education Corporation Fund (PTPTN) a loan repayment discount of 30% for graduates who have repaid 30% and above for their loan.
“For 2024, there are 5,419 eligible borrowers with a total financial assistance of RM26.15 million. In 2025, an allocation of RM15 million will be provided for the same purpose,” he said.
He said book vouchers worth RM500 and free laptop initiatives for university students from B40 group will also be extended next year, with allocations of RM2 million and RM30.5 million respectively.