He said this during his winding-up speech on the state’s 2018 budget.
“I’m happy to state here that the state government’s consolidated revenue account, which is audited annually, actually has recorded a surplus for 16 consecutive years, since 2001,” he said at the state assembly today.
“With this surplus, it’s clear that the state government has been implementing effective and efficient financial management.”
Musa, who is also the finance minister, added that the theme of the 2018 budget clearly showed it was for the people’s benefit.
“Revenue collected by the government each year will be channelled back to the rakyat for their benefit,” he said.
“The 2018 budget surplus will form part of our reserves to meet future expenses.
The development budget of RM838.31 million for next year, according to Musa, is part of the overall development plan under the 11th Malaysia Plan, which is drawn based on the state’s financial ability for five years.
“It also reflects the capacity of the machinery to implement development projects in Sabah,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean the allocation for development is not sufficient.
“Actually, the annual budget is formulated to develop the state, regardless of whether it is from the supply or development brackets.”
Musa also responded to issues raised on the special allocation he had laid out in his 2018 budget speech and reaffirmed that the allocation was not an “election one”.
“I’ve explained this but I want to stress again that this special allocation is not an ‘election budget’,” he said.
“The special allocation is for new programmes which will be proposed and implemented by ministries, departments and agencies which have been identified.”
Musa also rebuked opposition assemblymen who had claimed that next year’s budget was no different from past ones.
“Drawing an annual budget is no easy work. It is a lengthy process.
“To say that the 2018 budget is the same as those previous ones is not fair to the state government officers who worked hard to plan, process and finalise the budget.”
Musa also highlighted the challenges faced by the state government as prices of commodities like petroleum and palm oil were outside its control.
Last Friday, Musa announced a budget of RM4.1 billion, which is a surplus of RM64.89 million from its total revenue and double the surplus announced last year.
A key attraction is the budget’s whopping 100% increase for its special allocation to benefit women, single mothers, senior citizens, disabled people, youths and rural communities.
It was increased from RM53 million to RM115 million next year.
Musa announces goodies in RM4.1 billion surplus budget for Sabah