KUCHING: The upcoming Sarawak Budget, set to be tabled at the next Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, is expected to focus on infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas, while further advancing the state’s digital economy in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said development expenditure is expected to exceed operating expenditure, with rural development among the key priorities.

“I believe this budget will be geared towards development, with possibly more than 60 per cent allocated for development. A large portion of the development budget will likely be channelled to rural areas to upgrade various public amenities,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Media Workshop at the Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Santubong here on Wednesday.

According to Datuk Abdullah, rural development priorities include upgrading infrastructure and basic amenities such as roads, telecommunications and water supply, including about 1,700 logging roads in the interior identified for upgrading to improve connectivity and support tourism, agriculture and aquaculture activities.

Meanwhile, he said the digital economy, including artificial intelligence (AI), is also expected to receive attention, with the possibility of additional allocations for the Sarawak AI Centre as well as the implementation of various digital-related programmes.

He also expressed hope that the RM1.5 billion interim grant announced by the Federal Government will be channelled to Sarawak to help accelerate the state’s development.

“The RM1.5 billion grant from the Federal Government will greatly support various development efforts, not only in the rural area in my constituency, but also across rural Sarawak, as rural areas make up more than 50 per cent of Sarawak,” he said.

Also present at the event were CENTEXS Chief Executive Officer Dato Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abd Rahman, Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) Director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, UKAS Deputy Directors Mohamed Faizal Shah Ali and Joachim Paggang Jabong and other guests. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photos: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Ryan Lim