KUCHING: The 2026 Sarawak Budget Conference (SBC) brought together national policymakers, state leaders and industry players to translate fiscal plans into concrete action.
Founder and Group Managing Partner of Salihin Datuk Dr Salihin Abang said the second edition of the conference built on the strong response received during its inaugural edition last year.
He said the continuation of the conference reflected its relevance and the growing demand for structured and high-level dialogue on fiscal policy and economic strategy.
“Last year showed there is a real appetite for meaningful conversations on fiscal policy and economic direction.
“Today’s dialogue goes beyond analysis. It brings together decision-makers at the highest level of national policymaking, and this is something our audience has been looking forward to,” he said.
Salihin said this during his welcome address at the conference, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here Tuesday (Dec 16).
The conference examined two key budgets — the Malaysia Budget 2026, tabled on Oct 10, and the Sarawak Budget 2026, unveiled on Nov 24.
Held under the theme ‘Empowering People, Advancing Prosperity and Building a Resilient Future’, the conference focused on how both budgets aim to strengthen economic resilience, social protection and sustainable development.
Salihin said the budgets should be viewed not merely as financial statements, but as policy roadmaps that shape long-term growth at both national and state levels.
“At the federal level, the MADANI Budget 2026 allocation of RM419.2 billion prioritises cost of living, healthcare, education and digital transformation.
“The introduction of a carbon tax also signals Malaysia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which aligns with Sarawak’s green agenda,” he said.
At the state level, he said Sarawak’s budget reflected a people-centred approach, citing the RM250 million Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) as a key initiative to widen access to higher education.
“Continued investment in hydrogen, digital infrastructure and rural connectivity ensures development reaches every longhouse, every kampung and every Sarawakian,” he added.
Salihin also pointed to Sarawak’s recent economic performance, citing the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s July 2025 report, which showed Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached RM148.2 billion in 2024, contributing 9.0 per cent to the national economy.
“Sarawak is no longer walking behind others.
“Through strategic investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity and clean energy under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the state is on a firm and sustainable growth path,” he said.
