Table an alternative budget if you’re unhappy, Hamzah told

Sabah PH chairman Mustapha Sakmud has urged opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin to present a comprehensive alternative budget plan, challenging his criticism of the 2027 budget. Hamzah has expressed concerns about the potential burden on strategic institutions like Petronas, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, and KWAP due to political decisions.

Mustapha emphasized that the opposition should provide a clear, detailed proposal outlining how they would reduce the fiscal deficit while ensuring continued national development, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. He noted that the government's deficit has been steadily decreasing from 6.4% of GDP in 2021 to 3.7% in 2024, and is projected to further fall to 3.6% in 2027.

This administration has seen a decline in federal government new borrowings, dropping from around RM100 billion annually in 2021 and 2022 to RM75.6 billion in 2025. Mustapha highlighted that the 2027 budget allocated RM18.7 billion to Sabah and RM16.2 billion to Sarawak, a total of RM34.9 billion, which is RM2.2 billion more than the previous year's allocation.

He concluded by stating that fiscal discipline does not preclude the government from pursuing the country's development agenda, proving that a balanced budget can support national growth.