IPOH: A RM3bil budget has been requested by the Perak government for several projects, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).
The Perak Mentri Besar said the request was made to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, for the tabling of the upcoming Budget.
“Together with State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suadi Abdul Rahim and three of our committee chairmen, we met Anwar to convey our needs.
“The RM3bil funding is primarily to focus on complaints we received from members of the public to fix roads and add more beds at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital,” he told reporters at the state secretariat building here yesterday.
Earlier, at a press conference in Putrajaya, Anwar said the budget, set to be retabled on Feb 24 following the 15th General Election, will consider the current economic challenges while driving the country’s growth and attracting investments.
Saarani said the state government and assemblymen will also be meeting Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan today to discuss the budget.
“We understand the country is now recovering (from the pandemic). Therefore, even if we aren’t able to get the budget for all the projects, we hope the Federal Government will consider giving us a small portion of what we have requested.
“As for the meeting with Ahmad Maslan, I would like to welcome both assemblymen from the government and opposition sides to attend,” he added.
Separately, Saarani, who is also Perak Umno chairman, said he does not intend to contest in the current party elections.
“I am just a small leader and I am happy with my present position.
“However, if there is any member who wishes to contest, they can do so as long as it is within the party rules and regulations,” he said.
The Umno party polls are ongoing, from Feb 1 to March 18.
