Azmin tables RM3b Selangor budget for 2018

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has tabled the state’s 2018 budget, which he describes as a budget that “no group will be left out of”.

Next year’s budget of RM3.12 billion is smaller compared to the RM3.45 billion allocated for the 2017 state budget. 

Meanwhile, Selangor is expected to record a deficit of RM870 million in 2018, which is RM30 million less than this year’s deficit.

"This is a comprehensive and responsible budget where no group is left out. The world is enough for everyone's need but not enough for everyone's greed," said Azmin when tabling the budget at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.

A total of RM1.46 billion, or 46.8 percent of the total budget, will be allocated for operating expenditure. From this amount, RM444.15 million will be used for emoluments.

Additionally, the budget for development expenditure has been increased by one percent to 53.2 percent, or RM1.66 billion.

Azmin claimed that the 2018 federal budget tabled by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will not resolve the rising cost of living, due to the goods and services tax (GST). 

"GST is the mother of the rising living cost, which has failed to be addressed by the (Najib's) mother of all budgets," he said.

Citing the late Michael Jackson's song, titled "You are not alone", he announced free insurance schemes for 10,000 paddy farmers, who he said had experienced the pressures of various hardships.

The state will also continue funding programmes that benefit house buyers, farmers and low-income groups.

Azmin also announced that the state will continue providing free water for the first 20 cubic metres of usage next year, which will cost RM185.2 million.

Furthermore, the equivalent of three months’ wages, dubbed as “special financial aids”, will be given to Selangor civil servants. Two months’ worth of wages had already been given out earlier during Hari Raya. The next payment will be on Dec 21.

Azmin added that RM72 million will be allocated for a new programme, dubbed "Kasih Ibu Smart Selangor" (KISS), in which a monthly assistance of RM200 for food supplies will be given to mothers in Selangor whose families earned below RM2,000 a month.

Moments before Azmin tabled his fourth consecutive state budget and the last one before the 14th general election, he said that he gave his budget a full score of 100 marks.

He said the budget would address some of the fundamental issues faced by the people. 

Key points from the Selangor 2018 budget: 

• Total budget: RM3.12 billion.
   
• Total deficit: RM870 million.
   
• Operation expenditure: RM1.46 billion, including RM445.15 million for emoluments.
   
• Development expenditure: RM1.66 billion.
   
• RM746 million for upgrading infrastructure, including upgrading roads and drainage systems.
   
• An increase of RM50 million for the Smart-Sewa scheme, which is a programme that began in 2016 that helps middle-income groups own houses.
   
• RM15 million for Smart Selangor First Home Buyers programme, in which zero-rated loans are given to the buyers of “Selangorku Houses” to fulfil their down payments.
   
• RM30 million special fund to replace old lifts in low-cost flats.
   
• RM8.2 million in loans waived for the Welfare State Flat Reparation Scheme (Ceria).
   
• RM20 million for repainting old flats.
   
• RM20 million for Universiti Selangor (Unisel).
   
• Free insurance for 10,000 paddy farmers.
   
• The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) will build 136 units of houses for the second generation of Felda settlers.
   
• RM44.1 million for Integrated Health Scheme and 149,382 Peduli Sihat cards to be issued.
   
• Allocation for schools to be increased to RM24 million, up from RM22 million from 2017. A total of RM6 million and RM10 million will go to Chinese primary schools and religious schools respectively.
   
• City councils to build 15km of bicycle lanes while district councils to build 10km of bicycle lanes.

- Mkini