KUALA TERENGGANU – The Terengganu government today announced the state’s 2023 budget comprising RM1.991 billion for operating expenditure, RM500 million for development expenditure and RM30 million for water supply expenditure.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the government has outlined three cores as an approach to the implementation of the 2023 budget, which are supporting the people, driving the economy, and ensuring sustainable development.
He said under operating expenses, a total of RM93.13 million has been allocated for dependent expenses and RM1.897 billion for supply expenses, which include RM271.65 million for emoluments, RM249.17 million for services and supplies, RM25.94 million for assets, RM1.35 billion for grants and fixed payments, and RM1 million for other expenses.
“Under the grants and fixed payment component, a total of RM500 million was contributed to development funds, RM250 million to grants to local authorities, statutory bodies and various agencies; RM200 million for grants to government departments, and RM400 million for various service programmes under the state secretary’s office,” he said when presenting the 2023 budget at the Terengganu assembly at Wisma Darul Iman here today.
He said under development expenses, a total of RM417.73 million (79%) has been allocated for the social sector, including education, infrastructure, and public facilities such as water supply, urban and rural development, sports, and housing.
For the administrative sector, a total of RM85.04 million (16%) was allocated to, among others, information technology, general administration, special projects, and unexpected important projects; RM27.23 million (5%) is for the economic sector, including agriculture, tourism, and micro, small, and medium industries.
Meanwhile, the state government estimates a total of RM1.81 billion in revenue, which is RM65.17 million from tax profits, and RM135.59 million from non-tax revenue, including federal funds from petroleum royalties.
“Although this budget was drafted based on the price of Brent crude oil, which is expected to record a lower average of US$90 (RM403.20) per barrel in 2023 compared with US$100 per barrel this year, the decision to expand Budget 2023 by more than 20% compared with 2022 was made to ensure that the state’s economy can continue to be sustainable and the socio-economic level of the population also improves through the policies, projects, and programmes that will be implemented,” he said.
He said among the things to be implemented are the new rates of contribution to the education fund through the Permata Sejahtera Scheme, which will be increased to RM200 for the first and second child, RM300 for the third to fifth child, and RM500 for the sixth to 10th child.
Samsuri also announced a one-off gift of RM110 for over 86,000 eligible primary and secondary schoolchildren; financial aid worth RM100 through Pelajar Sejahtera vouchers for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia candidates for the purchase of books and stationery.
The state government also provides funds totalling RM5 million for Tabung Siswa Pelajar to finance tuition fees for eligible first-degree students in the country and abroad, he said.
Meanwhile, Samsuri announced RM200 vouchers would be given to women who have just given birth for postpartum care, and this is expected to benefit around RM5,000 eligible women. The Pencen Rakyat vouchers worth RM600 will continue with an allocation of RM15 million for the benefit of 25,000 recipients.
He also announced the allocation of RM1 million to continue the “Home Manager” programme, which provides job opportunities to women and gives one-off payments worth RM200 to 25,000 single mothers and persons with disabilities.
Samsuri announced one-off cash payments of RM150 to around 2,600 security guards; over 20,000 farmers, breeders and fishermen; as well as more than 1,500 tourism industry workers throughout the state in order to support their livelihoods.
Youth and undergraduates from low-income households will receive one-off cash grants of RM150, expected to benefit more than 160,000 recipients.
“Besides this, one-off payments of RM300 will continue to be given to help poor households involving all races – Malay, Chinese, and Indians – for their respective important festivals. It is estimated that more than 170,000 households will benefit from this assistance,” he added.
In the meantime, the state government agreed to implement a one-off cash grant of RM200 to 200 imams and bilals, and increase the allowance of nearly 1,000 imams and bilals in the state who do not have fixed income by RM100 per month. – Bernama, November 28, 2022
