ALOR SETAR: The Kedah state government is to go after errant landlords who owe a total of RM89.1 million in land tax arrears, to make up for a drop in revenue from an estimated RM710 million this year to RM701.94 million next year.
Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, tabling the state’s 2020 Budget today, notices of demand would be issued to landlords who refuse to settle the outstanding arrears in land tax.
“To ease tax payment, the state government will implement online payment facilities through the Kedah Payment Gateway beginning January next year,” he said. He hoped all state assembly members would support “the stern action in the enforcement of state revenue collections”.
Mukhriz said the lower revenue projection was due to a drop in forest resources following the decision by the state government to prioritise water retention in the catchment areas.
“Contribution from state government-linked companies will also be reduced from RM15 million to RM1.5 million based on the subsidiaries’ performance and to give them the chance to restore their financial situation,” he said.
The budget calls for an overall allocation of RM1.097 billion comprising RM759.49 million in operating expenditure and RM182.21 million in development expenditure. A further RM155.47 million in loans from the Federal Government was allocated for water supply projects.
The projected deficit was over RM57.547 million or 8.2%as compared to 8.14% in 2019, he added.
In building prosperity for the people, Mukhriz said the state government would continue with the Kedah Special Women’s Fund, by allocating RM1 million for 2020. Since its inception in February this year, 960 women comprising breadwinners and those caring for their sick parents in 36 constituencies, have benefited from the RM480,000 allocation.
An allocation of RM24.8 million is provided for the Social Welfare Department, while RM4 million was allocated for raising the incomes of the under-privileged. - FMT
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