# Sabah tops Malaysia's small-projects list

> Since 2023 Sabah has pulled in RM582 million for village-scale works, more than any other state, and bridges are next.
- Title: Sabah tops Malaysia's small-projects list · Malay Mail
- Summary: Since 2023 Sabah has pulled in RM582 million for village-scale works, more than any other state, and bridges are next. Small allocations add up: Sabah's…
- Keywords: sabah, infrastructure, government spending, rural development, malaysia, news, world, tops, Malaysia's, small-projects, list, Malay Mail
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/11/economy-ministry-sabah-receives-rm582m-highest-allocation-for-small-scale-projects-nationwide-since-2023/234858
- Published: 2026-09-11T18:45:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sabah, infrastructure, government spending, rural development, malaysia, news, world
## RM1.52 billion, spread thin
Since 2023 the federal government has put RM1.52 billion into 8,069 small-scale projects and People's Facility Initiatives across Malaysia. Small sums, lots of sites.
## Sabah takes the biggest slice
Sabah got RM582.29 million of that for 2,301 projects, the largest share of any state, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said in Kota Kinabalu.
## How Sabah's money splits
RM175.24 million went to 985 IKR projects and RM407.05 million to 1,316 small-scale projects. Two programmes, one state, nearly 2,300 separate jobs.
## This year's numbers
For 2026 alone Sabah received RM113.3 million for 481 projects, out of a national pot of RM323.8 million. That is more than a third of the country's total.
## Not every request gets funded
Applications are screened for feasibility, suitability, site status and availability before any money reaches the implementing agency.

> Every application must undergo an evaluation process to ensure the project is feasible
## Bridges move to the front
The ministry is weighing making concrete bridges in water-based settlements a priority under next year's IKR programme, with Sabah first in line.

> When the ministry receives applications from residents or Sabah, we will prioritise these small bridge projects
## Why a bridge is safety
Akmal said bridges are not just walkways for residents. In an emergency like a fire, they are the route help takes to get in and people take to get out.
## What RM199,508 buys
The minister visited Kampung Kalansanan, where a wooden bridge 200 feet long and 1.8 metres wide became semi-concrete. Kota Kinabalu City Hall finished it on January 13.
## Key takeaway

Small allocations add up: Sabah's 2,301 funded projects since 2023 are mostly footbridges, walkways and village facilities, not headline megaprojects.