The Bornean state will get RM5.6 billion in the federal budget, a RM1 billion increase compared to the RM4.6 billion set aside by the previous government.

However, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Sebastian Ting said the RM1 billion increase was merely a “drop in the bucket” in view of the state’s overall needs for development, The Borneo Post reported.

“If we consider the development needs in rural areas – such as roads, water, electricity, telecommunications, and medical care – the allocation of RM5.6 billion is insignificant,” he was quoted as saying.

“Putrajaya must continue to pay attention to, and assist in, Sarawak’s development. The allocation must include continued support for the development agenda here through other methods and channels to narrow the development gap between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.”

He added that the Sarawak government will have to use its own funds for various development projects.

Meanwhile, Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine said Sarawak should have received more funds under Budget 2023 in view of its size and population.

While maintaining that he was not being ungrateful, he said the annual budget was not balanced and that it showed “no difference” compared with previous budgets.

He said the funds set aside for rural development will not bring much change as there was a lack of basic infrastructure in some of these areas.

Royston, who is from GPS lynchpin Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), also claimed that Putrajaya was essentially expecting the state government to take the lead in tackling these matters.