MADANI Govt Committed To Narrowing Development Gap In Sabah, Sarawak

By Ammar Shafiq Hamzah

KUCHING, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The federal government remains committed to narrowing the development gap between Sabah and Sarawak, particularly in infrastructure, education and basic amenities, as a key agenda for 2025.

This commitment is reflected in Budget 2025, which allocates RM6.7 billion for Sabah and RM5.9 billion for Sarawak to fund strategic projects aimed at improving citizens’ well-being.

Academician Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, said the projects demonstrate the government’s responsibility to reduce disparities with Peninsular Malaysia.

“The demands of Sabah and Sarawak have shown results and bridging this gap must start now. The RM600 million special allocation is a starting point, showing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s readiness to act,” he told Bernama.

Major infrastructure projects include the Pan Borneo Highway, with a total cost of RM25.1 billion. The first phase in Sarawak is nearly complete, and 17 work packages under Sabah’s Phase 1B have received Letters of Acceptance valued at RM9.7 billion.

The Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2 has also begun and is expected to be completed by 2029 at an estimated cost of RM7.6 billion.

Jayum added that equitable development between urban and rural areas remains a priority.

“Great leaders do not only deliver large-scale projects but also show care for those still lacking basic amenities,” he said.

Under Budget 2025, RM500 million has been allocated for clean water and electricity projects, while RM1 billion will be spent to upgrade 543 schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

Forty-four new schools have begun construction this year, including Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Lok Kawi in Putatan, Sabah and Sekolah Kebangsaan Dudong in Sibu, Sarawak.

The MADANI government has also approved expansion projects for Tawau Airport in Sabah and Miri Airport in Sarawak, with a combined cost of RM253 million.

-- BERNAMA