Perlis table RM293.36mil budget for 2023

KANGAR: The Perlis government tabled the state budget for 2023 amounting to RM293.36mil for operating and development expenditures on Tuesday (Dec 20).

Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the budget has a projected deficit estimated at 1.25% or RM68.18mil, an increase of RM0.84mil from RM67.34mil in 2022.

In his budget speech themed "Changes: Generating Stability, Facing Challenges”, Mohd Shukri said a total of RM180.41mil or 61.50% is allocated for operating expenditure while RM112.95mil or 38.50% for development expenditure.

"Overall, operating costs have increased by 2.17% compared to 2022. A total of RM61.05mil has been provided for civil servants' emoluments, while RM74mil is to cover service and supply expenses.

"A total of RM38.39mil has been allocated for grants and fixed payments and RM6.97mil is allocated for assets and other expenditures,” he said at the Perlis State Legislative Assembly sitting.

Mohd Shukri, who is also Sanglang assemblyman, said RM73.89mil has been allocated for the Perlis State Water Supply System Medium Term Mitigation Project and the construction of the Istana Raja Muda Perlis

"The funding for these two projects is through loans from the federal government to the state government,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said RM34.71mil has been allocated under the Grant Based on Level Economic Development, Infrastructure and Welfare (TAHAP) and Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity (EFT).

"The allocation will be distributed to the six main implementing agencies to meet the development needs of all sectors, namely RM86.37mil to the Perlis State Government Secretary's Office and Perlis State Public Works Department (JKR Perlis) amounting to RM14.70mil.

"Also to the State Agriculture Department (RM3.09mil), State Veterinary Services Department (RM0.88mil), State Irrigation and Drainage Department (RM5.63mil) and State Forestry Department (RM2.28mil),” he said.

He also said that Budget 2023 was estimated to generate RM112.23mil in revenue for the state government, an increase of RM2.99mil or 2.74% compared to 2022.

"The biggest contributor is non-revenue receipts of RM66.90mil, followed by non-tax revenue amounting to RM23.46mil and tax revenue amounting to RM21.87mil,” he added. - Bernama