PARTI Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has called on the State Government to explain its RM70.5 million allocation for transport and flight-related expenditure involving the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and Chief Minister, saying the amount works out to almost RM200,000 a day.
The Senallang Assemblyman raised the matter while debating the RM1.612 billion Supplementary Supply Bill 2026 during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday.
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According to the supplementary expenditure estimates, RM66 million had initially been allocated for transport and flight-related expenses involving the two State leaders. An additional RM4.5 million has been proposed, bringing the total allocation to RM70.5 million.
Shafie said the expenditure amounted to approximately RM190,000 a day when calculated over a year.
“This is a large amount. Who owns the company? How often is this service used?” he asked.
He urged the Finance Minister to disclose the company providing the transport services, explain how frequently the aircraft were used and clarify where the funds were being channelled.
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Shafie also questioned a proposed additional allocation of RM210 million for equity investment in a government-linked company (GLC).
The supplementary estimates show that RM70 million had originally been allocated for equity investment, with a further RM210 million proposed to support investment in a GLC.
“Which GLC needs to be assisted? Is this a bailout?” he asked.
He said the Government should identify the recipient company, explain who would decide on the investment and state the expected returns to Sabah.
“What is the impact of this investment? Will it generate income for Sabah or create job opportunities for Sabahans?” he asked.
Shafie noted that some GLCs were already profitable and generating their own revenue, raising questions over the need for additional public funding.
He also wanted the Government to outline the expected performance of the recipient company by next year.
Recalling a previous case involving a State-owned plantation company that invested in shares outside its core business, Shafie said such equity injections must be subjected to careful scrutiny.
“We do not want additional allocations like this to end up having no impact on the people,” he said.
Shafie further questioned whether the proposed expenditure reflected the State’s priorities, pointing to ongoing issues such as water supply disruptions, unreliable electricity, poor road conditions and inadequate public transport.
He also compared the RM210 million additional allocation for GLC investment with the RM10 million additional allocation to settle outstanding payments for water concession services.
“For water, only RM10 million was added. Is it enough?” he asked.
Shafie said Semporna experienced water supply disruptions last week, forcing residents to rely on storage tanks and water delivered by lorries.
He said he had personally been forced to purchase water delivered by lorry at a cost of hundreds of ringgit.
Shafie stressed that the RM1.612 billion supplementary allocation should be carefully monitored and directed towards addressing Sabah’s most pressing needs.
“We should not announce various State Government initiatives and then make the people pay for them every month through their electricity and water bills,” he said.
