Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has set up a Special Trust Fund to oversee disaster prevention and recovery, poverty eradication and the preparation of infrastructure and utilities as well as social service facilities.
The State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Government Trust Funds Enactment 1964 (No.9 of 1964) to establish this State Special Trust Fund, in compliance with the requirements of section 10 of the Financial Procedures Act 1957 (Act 61).
The Government Trust Fund Enactment (Amendment) 2023 was tabled by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and debated by nine assemblymen.
Masidi said there are a number of programmes and activities that are not listed under the supply and development expenditure allocation, adding that a programme and activity needs to be established to deal with unforeseen problems, for example, a natural disaster.
It is to cover any shortfall in allocations to be channelled to ministries, departments, district offices or State Government agencies which would implement programmes and activities such as the following:
i) Natural disaster prevention and recovery programmes which include flood disasters, typhoons, fires, earthquakes, landslides, droughts, disease outbreaks and epidemics;
ii) Poverty eradication programmes;
iii) Programmes for the provision of social service facilities which includes the provision of learning equipment facilities and health equipment;
iv) Infrastructure and utility services which include the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of bridges, roads, slopes and other support facilities including the provision of electricity, water and sewerage utilities; and
v) Any expenditure approved by the Special Committee that is not included in the matters mentioned such as aid to disaster victims such as flood and fire victims.
Masidi said the financial source of this Fund is a contribution from the Trust Fund in the State Government’s annual expenditure, the amount of which cannot be determined at this time.
In addition, he said, this Special Trust Fund can receive donations from government agencies; corporate bodies; non-governmental organisations (NGOs); as well as individuals and philanthropists.
“This Special Trust Fund was also established as an initial preparation to place the Federal allocation if the Federal Government agrees not to withdraw any of the current financial year’s allocation if not used up,” he said.
The Fund would be administered and controlled by his Ministry. An accounting officer would be appointed by his Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, who is responsible for accounting for the receipt of funds into the Fund.
“This Special Trust Fund is important to ensure the State Government has sufficient funds to cover any shortfall in allocations, especially to ensure State development programmes can be implemented smoothly, including for the comfort of the people when they are in distress and need immediate assistance,” he said.
