KUCHING, Dec 1: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) has passed the State Budget 2023 of RM10.797 billion, after it was discussed and winded up today.
Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the bill was approved with a majority vote.
Earlier on Nov 21, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg tabled the State Budget 2023 is expected to generate a surplus of RM238 million with a projected revenue of RM11.035 billion and a total Ordinary Expenditure of RM10.797 billion.
“In a nutshell, Sarawak’s 2023 Budget is a strategic, comprehensive and integrated roadmap to position Sarawak for the future. While the way forward may not be easy, I am confident we can overcome them,” he said.
The proposed budget, themed “Sarawak First: Towards an Inclusive, Prosperous and Harmonious Society”, is anchored on five principles, which include developing a more robust, competitive and equitable economy.
Abang Johari said 48 per cent, or RM5.246 billion, of the projected revenue for next year would be derived from taxes, royalties, premiums, tariffs, land rentals, and others, while non-tax revenue would make up another RM5.498 billion.
“Non–revenue receipts are expected to be RM26 million, mainly from unclaimed deposits, recovered over payment, liquidated ascertained damages and penalties, forest liquidated damages, other compounds, and disposal of vehicles. Federal grants and reimbursements are expected to be around RM265 million,”
For the ordinary expenditure next year, RM3.997 billion would be for operations, while RM6.8 billion would be for financing the implementation of various development programmes and projects.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s economy for this year is expected to grow between 5.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent through the support of strong external demand and improvement in domestic economic activities.
He added that the Sarawak manufacturing and services sectors are expected to be the main drivers with a growth of 6.8 and 7 per cent respectively, while the construction sector is projected to grow at 5 per cent. – TVS
