KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Budget 2024, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Dewan Rakyat on Friday, provides substantial allocations for the development, maintenance and upgrading of basic infrastructure for people across the country.

This includes a RM5.4 billion allocation to state governments for state road upgrades and maintenance under the Malaysia Road Record Information System (MARRIS). Road maintenance and upgrades for state roads are usually given to smaller contractors in the states.

At the same time, Putrajaya also allocated RM2.8 billion to maintain federal roads and bridges in 2024, with RM300 million worth of contracts to be reserved for G1 to G4 contractors. Some RM30 million worth of these contracts are going to be managed by district engineers.

The government will also allocate RM100 million to maintain street lights, including replacing bulbs with light emitting diodes that will result in 60% electricity savings, said Anwar, who is also the finance minister.

For the upgrading and maintenance of schools, as much as RM1.9 billion will be allocated by the federal government next year. This includes RM930 million to upgrade creaking school buildings and infrastructure at 450 schools, including 185 in Sarawak and 155 in Sabah.

The government will also develop 26 new schools in 2024 with a total allocation of RM2.5 billion. The schools include SMK Laya Laya in Tuaran, Sabah; SMK Baie in Bintulu, Sarawak; SMK Seri Melati in Kuantan, Pahang; SMK Bandar Universiti in Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak; and SMK Binjai in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.