{
  "id": 18903806,
  "title": "Sabah expected to table biggest-ever budget on Dec 4",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/sabah-expected-to-table-biggest-ever-budget-on-dec-4",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T09:06:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1573400/sabah-expected-table-biggest-ever-budget-dec-4"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA KINABALU - The 2027 budget for the state of Sabah, scheduled to be presented on December 4, is anticipated to surpass this year's expenditure, according to Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. The minister disclosed that the state government is presently finalizing the budget through various consultation sessions and feedback from multiple stakeholders. Masidi emphasized that these preparations must consider the state's revenue and income-generating capacity. During a Deepavali celebration at a hotel, he clarified that while numerous requests for funding allocations have been made, the government must exercise prudence and ensure spending does not exceed its financial capacity. He stressed the importance of maintaining sound financial management and good governance in budget preparation.\n\nMasidi highlighted that the majority of annual allocations are typically directed towards the water supply and road sectors to tackle infrastructure challenges faced by the population. However, he noted that infrastructure projects require considerable time for completion, and not all issues can be resolved within a brief timeframe. Some initiatives launched this year may take up to three years to finalize. He appealed to water supply consumers experiencing issues to exercise patience, stating that the government is dedicating significant attention to the matter through substantial allocations. Sabah is currently awaiting a RM900 million special grant from the federal government, which, once received, could potentially enable the state to present a budget nearing its maximum revenue capacity, estimated at nearly RM8 billion.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s 2027 Budget, scheduled to be tabled on Dec 4, is expected to be larger than this year’s, says state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sabah's 2027 budget to be presented on Dec 4, expected to exceed this year's expenditure.",
    "Finance Minister Masidi Manjun finalizing budget through consultations with stakeholders.",
    "Majority of allocations to water supply and roads, with some projects taking up to 3 years."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}