SARAWAK HOPES BUDGET 2026 WILL PRIORITISE INFRASTRUCTURE, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - ABANG JOHARI

KUCHING, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government hopes the Budget 2026 will focus on the state’s actual needs, particularly in infrastructure and social development, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said special attention should be given to Sarawak in the federal budget to ensure more balanced development across the country.

“We hope that the budget takes into account Sarawak’s circumstances, especially from the infrastructure perspective, and we require more allocations, including for public services and housing.

“(Deputy Premier) Dr Sim (Kui Hian) also wants the cancer centre to be completed quickly so that our healthcare services can be further improved,” he said when officiating the IPO Prospectus of Insights Analytics Berhad here today.

The Budget 2026 will be tabled in Parliament on Friday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and is among the main agendas of the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament, which convened on Monday and runs until December.

Anwar previously said that the budget preparation will be aligned with the economic priorities of each state, not solely determined at the ministerial level, to ensure balanced growth and address the rising cost of living.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari extended his well-wishes for a smooth Sabah state election following the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

“The democratic process in Sabah has entered its final stages, so I wish all the best for them,” he said.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor yesterday announced the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly, paving the way for the 17th state election, which will see contests for all 73 seats.

-- BERNAMA