14/12/2025

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday DEC 14, 2025

Sabah tables RM6.4b budget for 2026

Strategy to get highway on track PUTATAN: The steering committee for the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project will hold more frequent meetings to discuss and address issues hindering the construction progress, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He said the presence of representatives from the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry and relevant Sabah state government agencies has enabled detailed discussions during the meetings. He added that these discussions cover various aspects, including the progress of the project, challenges faced and proposed solutions to ensure that the highway is completed according to quality specifications, timelines and budget. He was speaking after a working visit to inspect the progress of Phase 1 of the Pan Borneo Highway at Work Packages 7 and 8 on Friday. He said such field visits are a routine initiative by the ministry’s leadership to monitor the physical progress of projects comprehensively, identify challenges and address any issue on-site that requires immediate resolution. “This proactive approach is essential to prevent delays in the project and to ensure that no project is classified as ‘sick’. This work package is part of the strategic Kota Kinabalu Outer Ring Road, a key link connecting the southwest of Sabah to the northwest. “This infrastructure is not only crucial for the state’s primary road network but is also expected to have a significant socio economic impact.” The Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Phase 1 involves the construction of 706km of road and is being carried out in two main phases. Phase 1A of the highway covers a distance of 318km and is currently progressing well, with an on-site completion rate of 86.53%. “Phase 1B, covering 388km, is progressing according to plan.” – Bernama Initiative for student character building SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan, as the pioneer of the Bangsa Malaysia Character Building Programme for Form Six students, has successfully mobilised more than 1,000 volunteers since its launch in 2023. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the programme is grounded in the elements of leadership, social responsibility and patriotism, aligned with the six pillars of the Madani vision. He said the initiative plays an important role in producing quality, competitive and principled students while supporting efforts to nurture a future generation of leaders. “Young people need to interact more widely and build friendships beyond their usual circles while strengthening the values of mutual respect. “When facing any issue, do not act based on emotions. The country has a constitution, and young people must think rationally and exercise consideration.” He was speaking at a town hall session on the programme on Friday for Form Six students, involving 240 participants. Aminuddin said the programme, organised by the Negeri Sembilan Education Department in collaboration with the Negeri Sembilan Foundation and Pertubuhan Penggerak Madani Negeri Sembilan, serves as a benchmark for the National Character Building programme. He said the spirit of togetherness is the most important element as it represents the country’s true strength. – Bernama

KOTA Sabah government has tabled Budget 2026 amounting to RM6.402 billion, with an estimated surplus of RM28 million. Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also the state’s finance minister, said the Sabah government projects revenue of RM6.43 billion next year, making it a surplus budget. “Although this budget records a slight decrease compared with 2025, after taking into account the estimated revenue that can be collected, Sabah Budget 2026 still records a surplus of RM28 million.” He was speaking when presenting the budget, themed “Driving Development, Prioritising the People’s Wellbeing” at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Friday. Masidi said the Sabah government had formulated strategies for the budget through engagement sessions Despite slight decrease compared with last year, state budget records RM28 million in surplus, says deputy chief minister II KINABALU: The

expenditure, comprising RM1.468 billion from the state and RM397.21 million in the form of federal loans and federal repayments. He said the state development allocation would be distributed by sector, with RM996.47 million or 67.90% for the economic sector, RM345.77 million or 23.56% for the social sector and RM125.40 million or 8.54% for the general administration sector. He said an allocation of RM936.73 million for emolument expenditure would finance the salaries of state civil servants, reflecting an increase of RM32.82 million or 3.63% compared with this year’s original budget, due to annual salary increments and the second phase of salary adjustments ,which involve increases of 3% to 7%. “This is in line with the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System, which came into effect on Dec 1, 2024, and the rise in new appointments among Sabah civil servants.” “The state election has just concluded. The newly formed government will carry out the people’s mandate for the next five years. With full commitment and a deep desire to bring change and development to improve the living standards of the people, the Sabah Budget 2026 will be the pillar in realising this theme.”

with ministries and departments while also considering various indicators and global economic projections, which are expected to remain uncertain in the coming year. “This budget also takes into account the implementation of new programmes and initiatives under the first year of the 13th Malaysia Plan.” He said the budget has allocated RM5.202 billion to finance operating expenditure and RM1.2 billion for contributions to the development fund, Bernama reported. On revenue projections, Masidi said RM2.614 billion is expected to be contributed through state sales tax while non-tax revenue would amount to RM2.348 billion, most of which comes from petroleum royalties (RM1.075 billion) and non-revenue receipts (RM1.311 billion). “A stable financial position is the main foundation of the Sabah government’s ability to cover operating and development expenditure. With a sustainable, progressive and resilient economy, the people’s quality of life and wellbeing will surely be assured. “Therefore, to ensure that the fiscal position remains strong, the Sabah government has implemented and is implementing several initiatives to increase revenue collection.” Masidi said a total of RM1.865 billion has been allocated for development

Programme to serve as marketing platform for rural businesses BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) launched the Desamall@Perda Service Truck, which functions as a mobile promotion and marketing platform for rural entrepreneurs. carnivals and various other strategic locations that were previously difficult to reach. introduce Desamall and products from Perda entrepreneurs can be done more effectively. Perda general manager Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum (left) standing next to Shaik Hussein at the launch of the truck programme at the Perda headquarters in Butterworth. – BERNAMAPIC

“This truck is a mobile business stage, shop and promotion studio to highlight products of Perda entrepreneurs and most importantly, we no longer wait for customers to come to us. Instead, we take the products directly to them,” he said after the launch of the Perda office here on Friday. – Bernama

“This is a continuation of the success of the physical Desamall@Perda premises in Simpang Empat Permatang Buluh, Sungai Dua, which has been operating since 2021. “Perhaps many are unaware that one of the seven Desamall@Perda locations in Malaysia is located in Penang. With the existence of this service truck, efforts to

Its chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin said the initiative allows various rural products to be offered directly to programmes organised by ministries, national-level expos, state government