The benefits allocated under Budget 2016 for Sarawak are not entirely because of the upcoming state election, but because the people of the Bornean state deserve them, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. "This is not just about the election. It's also about concern for Sarawakians. They deserve the benefits," he said after officiating the National Consumers Day Celebration at Dataran Merdeka today. On Friday, Zahid said that he welcomed the opposition's statement that benefits under Budget 2016 for Sabah and Sarawak were meant to help the government win the state elections in Sarawak. "Very positive comment from them. It is indeed," Zahid said after the tabling of the budget in Parliament. Sarawak state elections are due by mid-June next year. PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali has said the budget was clearly an attempt by Barisan Nasional to win the elections. His view was echoed by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. Putrajaya allocated RM29.2 billion for development in Sabah and Sarawak, covering a range of benefits. These include subsidies for hill padi fertiliser to increase food supply and the income of hill padi farmers, and interest-free loans up to a maximum of RM50,000 for indigenous tribes people to build longhouses. The allocation also included RM16.1 billion for the construction of the Pan-Borneo Highway in Sarawak and RM12.8 billion for the highway in Sabah. Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem was reported saying yesterday that the people of Sarawak were grateful for the numerous initiatives and projects outlined in the budget, unlike the opposition, in view of the Sarawak elections expected next year. "We are thankful over the allocation which will surely provide much benefit to the people and the economy of the state," he said, reported national news agency Bernama. – October 25, 2015.]]>
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