Why does Sarawak feel federal Budget 2017 allocations are insufficient?

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Sarawak's Concerns Regarding Federal Budget 2017 Allocations

Sarawak believes the federal Budget 2017 allocations are insufficient primarily due to the state's perceived economic disparity with Peninsular Malaysia and the ongoing need for substantial investment in rural infrastructure and facilities. Specific concerns include a lack of funding for critical upgrades to rural schools and clinics, and the exclusion of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak from federal university hospital allocations.
Economic Disparity with Peninsular Malaysia

Sarawak's Second Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, has articulated that the state's economic standing lags significantly behind its counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia. This perceived gap underscores the expectation that federal funding should be more substantial to help uplift rural communities, which constitute a large portion of Sarawak's population.
Inadequate Funding for Rural Development and Facilities

A significant point of contention is the perceived inadequacy of funds for upgrading essential rural infrastructure and services. Wong Soon Koh specifically highlighted the need for more allocations to address the dilapidated condition of many rural schools and to improve clinics serving these communities. Similarly, Batu Kawah assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang expressed a hope for greater federal funding to enhance rural infrastructure, including roads, street lighting, and drainage systems, indicating a broad concern about the state's rural development needs.
Exclusion from Key Federal Initiatives

The federal Budget 2017 included an allocation of RM1.4 billion for four university hospitals, however, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak was notably absent from this list. This exclusion has been a point of disappointment for the state, which had anticipated inclusion in such federal medical infrastructure development initiatives.
Contextual Poverty Data

While the overall poverty rate in Sarawak has seen a significant reduction, falling to 0.9 per cent in 2014 from a much higher rate 40 years prior, pockets of economic vulnerability persist. Data from the Khazanah Research Institute indicates that Sarawak, along with Kelantan, Perak, and Sabah, has a notable percentage of households earning below RM2,000 monthly, specifically 19.3 per cent for Sarawak. Furthermore, the poverty rate for the Bumiputera community in Sarawak was reported at 7.3 per cent, according to the 11th Malaysia Plan, suggesting that targeted support and development funding remain crucial for certain segments of the population.

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Why does Sarawak feel federal Budget 2017 allocations are insufficient?

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