Samsuri gesa formula peruntukan lebih adil, ikut keperluan negeri

Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, a member of the opposition party, has proposed a formula for allocating central government funds to the states that he believes is more equitable and considers the country's needs. The proposed formula should take into account four factors: each state's financial needs, its ability to generate income, the infrastructure gap, and the cost of development and provision of public services.

Samsuri, who is also the Chief Minister of Terengganu, emphasized that the same amount of funding can have different impacts on different states because their capacities for infrastructure development, attracting investment, and increasing citizens' income vary. He also questioned why the central government cannot apply the principle of equal distribution of funds among states like Semenanjung, while negotiations with Sabah and Sarawak over their rights under the Federal Constitution and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement are ongoing.

Samsuri pointed out that if the government recognizes the importance of a clear and fair formula in its dealings with Sabah and Sarawak, why shouldn't the same approach be considered for states on the peninsula? Under the 2027 budget, the central government's funds for Sabah and Sarawak are each increased to RM18.7 billion and RM16.2 billion, respectively.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also mentioned that discussions with both states will continue until a fair and sustainable funding formula is reached. Samsuri highlighted the increasing debt service costs, which are projected to rise by 6.5% from RM57.3 billion to RM61 billion next year, which exceeds the RM2 billion increase in development funding.

He warned that the growing debt commitment could hinder spending for schools, hospitals, highways, clean water supply, and public amenities, potentially slowing development and limiting assistance to the public. Samsuri also called for greater funding to develop the East Coast economy, particularly to connect Kuantan, Kemaman, and Tok Bali with the industrial zone and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).

He believes that a better network between ports, railways, and the East Coast Industrial Corridor can attract investment in shipbuilding, manufacturing, and logistics, create jobs, and bridge the development gap between states.