KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak has the potential to become a green energy hub and a high-impact data centre, provided it receives the necessary investment and attention.
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim stressed that the federal government must ensure Malaysia’s high-tech transformation includes Sarawak and Sabah so as not to leave them on the fringes of the country’s digital and investment landscape.
“I wish to draw the Senate’s attention to Malaysia’s Tier 2 classification in the semiconductor sector by the United States.
“This is not just a technical classification — it carries significant implications for our position in the global supply chain,” he said during the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill (2024) 2025 on Monday (Mar 24).
Ahmad noted that the additional allocation under the bill reflects urgent needs in key sectors such as healthcare, education, security and infrastructure.
However, he pointed out that this allocation should not be evaluated purely in terms of numbers.
“What matters more is accountability, transparency and the effectiveness of its spending.
“Year after year, the Auditor-General’s Report reveals recurring issues — project delays, cost overruns, and governance weaknesses.
“We cannot continue to normalise such negligence,” he stressed.
As such, he asserted that the government must provide a detailed report on how the additional allocation is spent, supported by an independent monitoring mechanism that enables both parliament and the public to assess its outcomes.
Ahmad stressed that the Bill should serve as a strategic development tool rather than merely a fiscal stopgap measure.
Every fiscal injection, he said, must yield high-impact results, drive productivity growth, and create quality jobs — not just fund short-term physical projects.
“Special attention must be given to East Malaysia to ensure more balanced and inclusive national development.
“Additionally, ministries and implementing agencies must enhance their monitoring capabilities to prevent wastage of allocations,” he added.
The Senator also highlighted that RM12.62 billion has been allocated to the Treasury General services, demonstrating the government’s commitment to strengthening fiscal management and meeting key national financial obligations.
“I support this initiative, provided that public financial management is carried out prudently and with integrity.
“Similarly, the RM1.08 billion allocated to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living is crucial for stabilising the prices of essential goods and easing the financial burden on the people.
“I also welcome the additional funding for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, as investment in education is not merely an expense but a long-term investment in the nation’s future,” he said.
