Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) today clarified a discrepancy in the reported allocation for the Rural Water Supply (BALB) Programme in the 2026 Budget, specifying that the correct figure is RM424.7 million, which is distributed across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang addressed the Senate regarding the confusion over the allocation for the Sabah BALB Programme. She confirmed that three new projects and 79 extension projects have been approved for 2025, with a total allocation of RM103,583,900. The current status of these projects includes 16 in the construction phase, 39 in pre-implementation, 16 completed, and 11 canceled. For the 2026 Budget, a total of 83 projects under the Sabah BALB Programme have been approved, involving costs of RM4.065 billion and an allocation of RM143 million.

Responding to a question from Senator Datuk Bobbey Suan, Rubiah highlighted the previous incorrect report of RM720 million allocated to the Sabah BALB Programme. Additionally, she addressed concerns raised by Senator Pele Peter Tinggom regarding delayed KKDW projects in the Saratok and Kabong districts. A specific rural road project, Jalan Serandong-Perpat Paloh Batang Maro in Betong, has been placed under review due to objections from residents about its original alignment.

Rubiah also mentioned that 12 basic infrastructure projects, valued at RM414.14 million, have been approved for the Saratok parliamentary constituency in 2025. These projects encompass rural roads, bridges, water supply, social amenities, and housing, with six currently in pre-implementation and three under implementation.

For the Rolling Plan 5 (RP5), the ministry has allocated RM734.75 million to the Sarawak government, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable rural development. This includes four projects in Kabong, totaling RM150 million, focused on rural roads, bridges, and water supply.