KOTA KINABALU: The RM5.2bil infrastructure development allocation for Sabah under Budget 2022 should have been higher due to the state's size, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

       The Sabah Deputy Chief Minister said the amount provided for a large state like Sabah was not enough to resolve issues related to infrastructure development such as water supply, roads, bridges and electricity in rural areas.

       Bung, who is Kinabatangan MP, said although many projects were funded through next year's budget, there was more that needed to be done based on the state's needs.

       Sabah and Sarawak were also given an allocation of RM1.5bil for rural infrastructure development next year.

       Bung, who is state Works Minister, said the Federal government should also speed up the implementation of the Pan-Borneo Highway project.

       "We want the Pan-Borneo Highway project to be implemented immediately, not package or packages allocated yearly.

       "If only one or two packages are given a year, it will not be completed in decades to come," he said here on Saturday (Oct 30).

       Bung said improvement of infrastructure facilities will transform the logistics ecosystem and will be a driver of change to Sabah's economy and socio-economy.