KOTA KINABALU, Oct 10 — Sabah caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor hailed the National 2026 Budget as a progressive budget that is  prudent and yet does not overlook the interests of the various communities, especially the less fortunate.

He said the budget focuses on the nation’s economic development but also provided Sabah with a RM6.9 billion allocation, the highest ever from the federal government, which he said would greatly benefit the state.

“This budget is not merely about numbers. It is the result of Sabah’s political stability under GRS and the federal government’s confidence in the state’s leadership. Sabah is now truly being mainstreamed into Malaysia’s development,” said Hajiji after viewing the live telecast of the budget tabling by prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar had proposed RM765 million for the construction for Sabah’s Southern Link electricity line, which Hajiiji said would benefit the people of Sabah as a whole.

Also included in the Budget were the repairs of infrastructure damaged during the recent natural disaster affecting Sabah, including the IPG Gaya, at a cost of RM220 million, as well as RM39 million for Phase 2 of the flood mitigation project.

Hajiji also thanked the Federal Government for its continuous support of the Pan Borneo Sabah project with the provision of RM1.67 billion for next year.

He also commended the federal government for its commitment to honour the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and meet Sabah’s demands, including by increasing the interim special grant to RM600 million from RM300 million this year.

 Malay Mail – Malaysia