ALOR STAR – The Kedah government announced the payment of a special financial aid of RM1,000 each for the state’s civil servants, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the special aid involved 5,300 staff, including state local authorities and contract staff, with an allocation of RM5.3 million.
“The state government has agreed to provide special Aidilfitri aid because our revenue collection in the first quarter of this year has been quite good compared with the same period last year.
“This year, we managed to collect a revenue of RM219 million, compared with only RM109 million last year,” he said at a press conference in Wisma Darul Aman here today.
Sanusi said that the main factors in the state’s revenue increase this year include the strict enforcement of land tax payments.
He said it was also aided by the hard work of civil servants, “who are always highly dedicated in completing their duties”.
“We need to collect state government revenue. We do it seriously and we do not play around.
“For example, for the development project in Langkawi (by Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd) that we approved, they have to pay a land premium,” he said.
Sanusi also gave an overview of the Kedah government’s reserve savings, now among the highest in 10 years.
He, however, refused to reveal the actual amount of the reserve and asked media representatives to wait until the state assembly sitting begins.
“We can’t reveal it here. Wait for the state assembly sitting. We will inform you later,” he said. – The Vibes, April 28, 2021
