Civil servants in Pahang to receive RM1,200 next month, says MB

 

KUANTAN: Civil servants in Pahang will receive a financial incentive of RM1,200 involving an allocation of RM9.6mil, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He said the incentive would be credited into the accounts of 8,000 civil servants of all grades in the third week of January.

"This is an appreciation to all civil servants in Pahang, and the state government has never forgotten their contributions and commitment in ensuring the implementation of the state development and social agenda,” he said while tabling the surplus state budget at the state Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang here.

The Pahang government tabled a surplus Budget of RM5.97mil, which is its 19th surplus Budget since 1992.

The state Budget provides an allocation of RM1.031bil for operating expenditure, RM323.26mil for development expenditure while revenue collection for next year is targeted at RM1.036bil.

Dismissing allegations that the state is in a weak financial position, Wan Rosdy said as of Dec 6, Pahang collected RM812.41mil in revenue, exceeding the RM800.80mil target.

According to Wan Rosdy, after being severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the state’s economy is projected to be revived in stages through tourism, agriculture, farming, mining and industrial activities.

"The state government is looking at uses of utilities that can provide extra revenue such as the implementation of the Ulu Jelai hydroelectric project, line and tower fees involving Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as well as communication infrastructures,” he said.

In addition, he said unfavourable old enactments and agreements would be reviewed such as the Taman Negara (Pahang) Enactment 1939 that charges only RM1 entrance fee to Taman Negara.

"Sustainability tax will be imposed on hotel guests in Pahang at RM3 per night as the state’s new revenue where the state government is expected to receive RM21mil next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, to address the water supply issue, the state government allocated RM151.28mil for water supply infrastructure development projects next year, and RM10.35mil for corridor rehabilitation plans to tackle floods.

A total of RM34.48mil is allotted to manage forest resources with priority given to rehabilitating and protecting forest biology, water and soil, as well as RM1.05mil to build the Pahang Forestry Department war room to conduct real-time satellite monitoring.

"The state government is also committed to ensure that 1.6 million hectares of the state forest become a permanent forest reserve, which is 57% of the total existing forest area, and hopes that the Federal Government will compensate for the initiative,” he said.

He said the Pahang Pride Kid programme would be implemented with a total allocation of RM5mil for babies born in 2022, who would receive RM200 with RM100 in bank savings, while the rest in the form of baby items.

"The state government has also introduced the Pahang national student card to all B40 household heads, who have schooling children, to enjoy a 20% discount on school items apart from RM100 given to each B40 student," he said, adding that the initiative was expected to benefit 48,711 students.

Wan Rosdy said the Cakna Suri free health screening, which previously involved mammograms to detect breast cancer, would be extended to cervical cancer screening to benefit 6,000 women from the B40 category.

He also said a total of RM2.7mil was allocated to develop information technology as well as to implement the Pahang Digital Plan 2021-2025, adding that the 5G network pilot project would be initiated in Kuantan, Indera Mahkota and KotaSAS.

The state government would also continue the Pahang Prihatin Aid with an allocation of RM30mil while RM40mil would be channelled to strengthen efforts towards preparing the state in facing the Covid-19 endemic phase, he added.

Wan Rosdy said in efforts to empower the Orang Asli, the state government had set up the Orang Asli Corporation (ORACO) with a RM1mil grant to identify land that could be developed to support their economy, among others.

The assembly sitting resumes tomorrow. - Bernama