60pct development allocation ideal for upcoming state budget – Daro rep

KUCHING: Allocating about 60 per cent of Sarawak Budget 2027 to development would be ideal, particularly for rural infrastructure, agriculture and connectivity, says Daro assemblyman Dr Safiee Ahmad.

He said the upcoming budget should also remain people-centric, with continued and enhanced assistance to ease the cost of living and improve the well-being of Sarawakians.

“We hope the allocation will continue to increase, with development remaining a priority. Ideally, around 60 per cent of the budget should be focused on development,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted.

Safiee said existing assistance programmes, including the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS), housing initiatives and support for small traders and entrepreneurs, should be continued and strengthened.

He stressed that the state government should maintain its efforts to help the people while ensuring that assistance reached those who needed it.

Education should also remain a key priority, particularly through the continuation of free higher education for Sarawakian students pursuing their first degrees at state-owned universities.

On rural development, Safiee called for continued investment in infrastructure to improve basic amenities and connectivity in outlying areas.

He said better connectivity would support economic activities and improve access to essential services for rural communities.

Safiee also highlighted agriculture, particularly the development of padi cultivation in Daro, as an important economic opportunity for the rural population.

He said Daro had been identified for the development of perennial padi, a variety that can be harvested repeatedly after a single planting, offering potential benefits for local farmers.

“This should be further developed as an economic activity, particularly in rural areas where agriculture remains an integral part of the people’s livelihoods,” he said.

He expressed hope that Sarawak Budget 2027 would provide the necessary support to advance agricultural development in Daro, while ensuring that rural communities continued to benefit from infrastructure improvements and economic opportunities.