NOVEMBER 2019
Uggah Blasts Opposition ‘Ignorance’ Over State Budget
KUCHING: Allegations by Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak assemblypersons that the State Budget 2020 is unrealistic reflect their lack of understanding on public sector financial management, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
Uggah, who is also Second Finance Minister, singled out Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, Pelawan assemblyman David Wong and Krian assemblyman Ali Biju for claiming that there were no actual funds provided for the implementation of the strategic initiatives.
“This is baseless allegation which reflects their ignorance and lack of understanding on the public sector financial management and how the state budget is formulated,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech yesterday.
He pointed out that for the government to advance and accelerate growth in the state to be on par with Peninsular Malaysia, it is imperative to leverage on alternative funding mechanism.
“The healthy financial position, investment and substantial reserves built over the years as well as commendable investment grade credit ratings affirmed by reputable international rating houses, have given the state the capacity to source funding from the capital market and thus ensure its fiscal flexibility.
“Hence, the 2020 development expenditure programme will be financed from the state budget and via alternative financing initiative to implement the various key strategic programmes and projects,” Uggah explained.
This led Chong to question whether such move would be risky.
“The proposed amount for next year’s expenditure is at least RM22 billion with the total expenditure at RM9 billion so there’s an excess of RM13 billion of the amount that is going to be approved today and to be paid by the state coffers.
“In other words, at least RM13 billion is going to be borrowed through the capital market and private sector through the alternative financing model.
“Would it not be risky and very indiscreet for a government to borrow such a huge sum when your development budget is only RM6.5 billion? You’re borrowing about RM13 billion that is double amount of your development expenditure,” he said.
Uggah responded by informing Chong that the details of the alternative financing mechanism will be elaborated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He also took a quick swipe at Chong that the move would not have been necessary if PH had kept its promise to give the state 20 per cent oil royalty.
“You never keep your promise including the withdrawal of projects from the federal government, and if you have fought hard enough for Sarawak, then this issue (alternative financing) would not arise.”
This then led to a heated exchange between Uggah and Chong in the chamber, with the former repeatedly citing Standing Order 33 on the latter that no member should interrupt another member.
Uggah stressed that the Sarawak government has a responsibility to ensure that the state is developed by 2030 and that Abang Johari is a responsible leader who adheres to the policy of prudence.
“It is Lim Guan Eng who will bankrupt (the country),” he said in reference to the federal Finance Minister’s previous statement that Sarawak will go bankrupt if it continues to be ruled by GPS.
“Now we know the truth on who advised Guan Eng who came here and told Sarawakians that we will go bankrupt. These are the advisors. You (DAP) are the traitors to Sarawak because of your ignorance.
“In fact when you stand up here, you are jealous that we have the resources to develop Sarawak…‘cemburu’ (jealous) because you cannot bluff the people in Sarawak,” Uggah charged.
Sumber dari: Borneo Post Online