S'WAK POLLS It is raining money in Sarawak, as BN leaders both at the federal and state levels hit the campaign trail and announce various projects along the way.

According to a non-exhaustive list compiled by Malaysiakini, the total announced amounts to at least RM382.8 million.

The figure is based on Malaysiakini’s report throughout the campaign trail, as well as sourced from other media. However, not all announcements are accompanied with a disclosure of the amount of money involved.

The money comes in many forms, including allocations and projects being approved or announced during the campaign trail, and promises to do so in the future.

By far the biggest giver is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who announced at least RM255 million throughout the nearly two-week campaign period, which officially started on nomination day on April 25.

This includes the single most expensive project known, which is RM94.5 million earmarked for a rural water supply project for several villages is Bekenu.

Najib is leading far ahead of his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who announced at least RM78.5 million, and Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi who announced a new branch office for the Road Transport Department in Sarikei that is to cost RM21.4 million.

As for the Sarawak caretaker chief minister Adenan Satem, he ‘dished out’ a total of at least RM13.5 million while on the campaign trail, RM10.3 million of which is compensation money for 235 Serian landowners whose land are being taken over for the Pan-Borneo Highway project.

'We try to cater to Sarawak's development needs'

However, the RM382.8 million figure still pales in comparison to the RM3.5 billion figure provided by Najib himself.

He has told reporters on May 4 that this amount had been approved for Sarawak’s development.

"We still try to cater to Sarawak's needs in terms of development and many allocations outside of the budget that have been passed for Sarawak.

"Based on my visits, RM3.5 billion has been approved and millions of ringgit more will be given to Sarawak.

"The Pan-Borneo Highway is the best example of our commitment to Sarawak and it will be continued," he told a press conference in Kuching that day.

In comparison, Sarawak’s state budget was RM6.36 billion in 2015, and RM8.04 billion this year. The Pan-Borneo Highway alone is expected to cost RM16 billion.

Previously, Adenan had reportedly praised Najib for making more visits to Sarawak than all the previous prime ministers combined – 50 times over a span of six years.

“The present Prime Minister, who is my good friend, who I call Najib anak Razak, is very helpful. When he comes, he does not just come to Sarawak with a big smile but he comes bearing gifts.

“He does not just come with empty hands. He brings with him all sorts of funding. So far, he has brought RM3 billion to Sarawak,” he was quoted as saying by the New Sarawak Tribune on April 18.

Sarawakians will be heading to the polls starting tomorrow morning to decide who should be in its 11th state legislative assembly.

The full list of allocations and announcements compiled by Malaysiakini can be found below: