DAPSY Sabah Presents Five Proposals for 2026 Budget

8 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sabah Chief, Chan Loong Wei, today unveiled five major recommendations for the upcoming 2026 Sabah Budget, calling on the new government to adopt more comprehensive welfare initiatives, effective price-stabilisation strategies, and enterprise development policies to meaningfully improve the quality of life for Sabahans.

He stressed that the feedback consistently shows the public’s desire for practical, effective and long-term policies, rather than short-lived or symbolic measures. The government, he emphasised, must place the people at the centre of its policy framework, addressing cost of living, public transport accessibility, and opportunities for business growth, all of which directly affect households and the broader economic environment.

On welfare policy, Chan urged the Sabah government to upgrade the existing SYUKUR cash aid scheme into MySara 2.0, allowing every Sabahan aged 18 and above to automatically receive RM100 annually through the current Widentification card (IC) mechanism. This reform would eliminate the cumbersome application, verification and appeals processes under SYUKUR, making the system more efficient, inclusive and accessible.

He said the universal nature of MySara 2.0 ensures that aid reaches all Sabahans regardless of race or background and channels spending power directly into the local economy, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He noted that under the current structure, a household may only receive RM300 in aid; however, under MySara 2.0, a family consisting of grandparents, parents and two adult children aged 18 and above could receive RM600 in total.

Such a structure, he said, not only makes welfare distribution more equitable and transparent but also provides meaningful relief to families facing rising living costs.

On public transport, Chan called for priority budget allocation in 2026 to construct, repair and upgrade bus stops across Kota Kinabalu, in line with the full rollout of the BAS.MY public bus system. He highlighted that many existing bus stops are poorly maintained or inadequate, lacking shelters, seating, lighting and barrier-free facilities.

A safe and comfortable waiting environment, he said, would encourage more people to use public transport, reducing travel costs, easing congestion and improving urban mobility.

Chan also urged the state to strengthen overseas promotion efforts to help local products expand into international markets. He noted that Sabah has long struggled with trade deficits and imported inflation, which keeps prices high.

By enabling local industries to increase exports and enter new markets, Sabah can enhance competitiveness, reduce reliance on imports, and create a more resilient economic structure.

He further called on the government to institutionalise annual development funds for enterprises—including entrepreneurship training, business support programmes and capital funds—to ensure SMEs and youth start-ups receive stable and predictable assistance. SMEs, he emphasised, are the backbone of Sabah’s economy, and inconsistent or interrupted support due to yearly budget fluctuations could hinder growth and innovation.

Chan also stressed the urgent need for the new budget to significantly increase resources for local governments, particularly for routine maintenance of community infrastructure. Many areas in Kota Kinabalu continue to face recurring issues such as potholes, malfunctioning streetlights and clogged drains. Due to limited resources, local authorities often struggle to resolve problems promptly, leading to repeated deterioration, safety concerns and higher long-term repair costs.

He emphasised that the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) deserves substantially greater resource support. As Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu not only faces high population density and heavy urban activity but also governs an exceptionally large area that spans multiple constituencies—including Luyang, Likas, Tanjung Aru, Api-Api, Inanam, Karambunai, Darau, and even parts of Putatan and Penampang. The vast size of this jurisdiction, coupled with rapid urban development, means DBKK’s maintenance responsibilities and infrastructure demands far exceed those of other local authorities.

He said that with stronger and more stable financial support under the new budget, DBKK would be better equipped to systematically manage road maintenance, streetlight repairs, drainage cleaning, pedestrian walkways, and community safety upgrades.

Chan reiterated that preventive maintenance is far more cost-effective than post-damage repairs, and is essential for keeping communities safe, clean and liveable. He urged the new government to prioritise structural solutions to address local authority underfunding, enabling Kota Kinabalu to advance toward becoming a modern, safe and high-quality capital city.

He emphasised that the 2026 Sabah Budget must respond realistically and concretely to the economic pressures faced by ordinary Sabahans, ensuring that the people’s needs remain at the forefront. Chan expressed hope for a budget that builds a more liveable, resilient and opportunity-driven Sabah, while demonstrating the new government’s commitment to reform and public welfare.

He concluded that DAP Sabah will continue to play its role as a constructive opposition, bringing grassroots concerns into policy discussions, and advocating for long-term strategies that benefit youth, businesses and communities, ensuring Sabah’s development remains aligned with the needs of its people.