Hajiji (right) watching the live telecast together with Masidi.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has described the National 2026 Budget as a progressive and prudent financial plan that remains inclusive and attentive to the needs of all communities, particularly the less fortunate.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to the Prime Minister for presenting a progressive national budget.
“This budget not only focuses on driving the country’s economic growth but also allocates RM6.9 billion for Sabah — a provision that will significantly benefit the state,” he said when met after viewing the live telecast of the budget presentation by Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.
Anwar announced that the RM6.9 billion allocation for Sabah next year is the highest ever provided by the Federal Government.
“This budget is not merely about figures. It reflects Sabah’s political stability under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government and the Federal Government’s confidence in the state’s leadership. Sabah is now truly being mainstreamed into Malaysia’s overall development,” said Hajiji.
Under the National Budget, Anwar also proposed RM765 million for the construction of the Southern Link electricity line, which Hajiji said would benefit the people of Sabah as a whole.
Also included were allocations to repair infrastructure damaged by recent natural disasters in Sabah, including the IPG Gaya campus, amounting to RM220 million, and RM39 million for Phase 2 of the flood mitigation project.
Hajiji expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its continued commitment to the Pan Borneo Sabah project, which will receive RM1.67 billion in 2026.
He also commended the Federal Government for honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and addressing Sabah’s long-standing demands, including the increase of the interim special grant from RM300 million to RM600 million.
Also present were State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, assistant ministers and senior government officials.
