Independence Must Be Translated Into People’s Well-being, Stronger Economy - Mustapha

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Independence must be translated into improving the people’s well-being and strengthening the economy, in line with various MADANI Government efforts to help ease the cost of living while creating more opportunities to increase income.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the efforts could be seen through allocations for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), which reached RM15 billion annually, the highest in the history of aid for the people, as well as the expansion of SARA to all.

He said an additional RM1 billion also brought total microfinancing to RM6 billion, complemented by RM200 million in the Geran Sejahtera MADANI for small traders, including mothers running businesses from home, hawkers and night market traders.

“We not only want to help the people cope with the cost of living today, but also provide them with opportunities to build a better life for tomorrow,” he said in his message in conjunction with National Day and Sabah Day 2026, posted on his Facebook today.

He said the approach was particularly important as the median household income two years ago was RM4,890 in Sabah and RM5,504 in Sarawak, still below the national median of RM7,017.

Mustapha said STR and SARA helped safeguard people’s well-being and purchasing power, while grants and microfinancing gave people opportunities to increase their income through business and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, Mustapha said the BUDI MADANI RON95 eligibility had also been improved, from 200 to 300 litres, while the BUDI Diesel quota was increased from 300 to 400 litres a month, benefiting about 16 million BUDI95 users and more than 500,000 diesel users, including those using pickup trucks and jeeps.

He said the measure was particularly significant for Sabah and Sarawak given the long travel distances, dispersed settlements, limited public transport and reliance on vehicles in rural and remote areas.

“The MADANI Government’s national policies clearly take into account the geographical realities and needs of each region to ensure that assistance truly reaches those who need it,” he said.

In education, he said the allocation for school maintenance and repairs in 2027 had been increased from RM1 billion to RM1.5 billion, while RM4.6 billion had been approved in Sabah alone for the redevelopment of dilapidated schools from 2023 to 2026.

Therefore, Mustapha said dilapidated schools and schools in Sabah and Sarawak that still lacked basic facilities must continue to be given special attention.

“No Malaysian child should be left behind simply because of their geographical location or where they were born,” he said.

He said the increase in the e-Invoice exemption threshold from RM1 million to RM3 million also reduced the compliance burden for about 1.1 million businesses, reflecting the government’s efforts to listen to the needs of all sectors, including entrepreneurs.

“In conjunction with National Day and Sabah Day, let us uphold the spirit of the nation’s founders by building a Malaysia that respects the history of its formation, celebrates diversity and develops based on the real needs of every citizen and region,” he said.

-- BERNAMA