Sabah, Sarawak rural road funding has not been cancelled, says minister

Kota Kinabalu, October 29 — The Sabah PKR Leadership Council chairman, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, has urged the public to rely on factual information when discussing the alleged cancellation or reduction of funds for rural road projects (JALB) in Sabah and Sarawak. He proposed that any party raising concerns should present a detailed list, including project allocations and implementation statuses.

Mustapha, who serves as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, clarified that the postponement of new Letters of Acceptance (SST) on September 10 was an internal financial control measure, not a cancellation of approved projects. He explained that the national JALB allocation continues to rise from RM2.11 billion in 2026 to RM2.27 billion in 2027, surpassing the RM1 billion mark seen before Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration began allocating RM1.09 billion in 2023.

The Ministry of Finance has approved an additional RM500 million in 2026 to address payment backlogs for JALB contractors, ensuring commitments are fulfilled. After leading a special coordination meeting of the Kota Kinabalu Disaster Committee, Mustapha emphasized the federal government's ongoing commitment to Sabah's development, as seen in Budget 2027, which allocates RM18.7 billion to the state, up from RM17.6 billion previously.

Similarly, Sarawak's allocation increases from RM15.1 billion to RM16.2 billion, with RM3.3 billion specifically designated for road project implementation, aimed at enhancing connectivity and bridging regional gaps.