S’gor to settle debt to federal govt

Proactive steps: Amirudin tabling the Budget, with measures aimed at decreasing the deficit, at the Selangor state assembly building. — KK SHAM/The Star

SHAH ALAM: Selangor is on track to pay off its RM19mil debt to the Federal Government next year.

In tabling the state budget for 2024 here yesterday, Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari said it is possible to repay RM19,207,475.78 to the Federal Government in 2024 as the state is on sound financial footing.

He said the amount was borrowed to pay for a water supply project and Skim Amanah Saham Selangor.

Under the 2024 state budget, RM68mil has been allocated to the Irrigation and Drainage Department for the effective and systematic management of water, drainage and water resources.

“The state government will also allocate RM65mil for various development projects, including flood mitigation, drainage system development, river basin development, water and hydrology development, environmentally friendly drainage management, and coastal development, comprising 103 programmes,” said Amirudin.

“The state government will work closely with the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of flood mitigation projects in Selangor, including the Langat River Phase 2 flood mitigation project, which is estimated to cost RM3bil.”

Selangor’s Budget 2024 will also place emphasis on food security, and the state will work closely with the Federal Government to strengthen the Food Security Programme in 2024.

“The state government will strengthen the food stocks, especially the supply of rice, fish and meat in preparation to counter any regional or overseas situational changes, either due to climate or geopolitical changes,” said Amirudin.

Of the RM40mil to be allocated to increase the state’s food supply for three to six months, RM20mil would come from the state government and the remaining RM20mil from the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS).

“PKPS will also utilise padi cultivation templates that have been proven to increase harvests of up to twice a year in other areas of Selangor and other states to enhance food security,” said Amirudin after tabling a RM2.53bil budget.

Out of this amount, RM1.33bil or 52.6% will go towards administrative expenses, while RM1.2bil (47.4%) will go towards development.

At the same time, Selangor estimates it should be able to collect RM2.2bil in revenue.

“This figure is projected based on track record, whereby taxes amounting to RM2bil was successfully collected between August 2022 and September 2023.

“Among the biggest contributors to the state in 2024 is land premium amounting to RM890.94mil, which is an estimated 40.5% of the entire estimated taxes,” said Amirudin.

He also said the 2024 budget will have a deficit of RM330mil, which is RM120mil lower than the RM450mil deficit in the current budget.

Amirudin said although Selangor posted deficit budgets in the last six years, the state will take necessary measures to decrease the deficit.

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The Secret Kebaya Exhibition, at the Saindera Gallery, National Textiles Museum, featuring 60 kebaya collections is organised by the National Unity Ministry in collaboration with the Museums Department.

The exhibition will run until Dec 31. — Bernama