Negeri Sembilan assembly passes 2024 budget

 

Menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said Negeri Sembilan will reject non-radioactive rare earth elements mining activities in permanent forest reserves, protected reserves and environmentally sensitive areas. (Bernama pic)

SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan state assembly today approved its 2024 budget, themed “Bersama Membina Negeri Madani” (together we build a Madani state).

With an allocation of RM555 million, the budget, encompassing the state’s economy, investment, infrastructure and the people’s well-being, was debated for three days from Dec 4.

Menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said the state is prepared to allow the exploitation of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) starting next year to help boost its revenue.

Aminuddin said that as such, the related standard operating procedures were being implemented by the Negeri Sembilan land and mines office, adopting Perak’s SOPs which were drafted through the natural resources, environment and climate change ministry.

“The SOPs, made by involving agencies and mining experts, cover all legislation currently being enforced, including the State Minerals Enactment, the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

“Any development of mineral mining is also subject to the approval of environmental impact assessment reports and the mining management scheme by the minerals and geoscience department,” he said.

Aminuddin, who is also the Sikamat assemblyman, said the state government would reject NR-REE mining activities in permanent forest reserves, protected reserves and environmentally sensitive areas.

He said all mining would be done in situ to reduce the impact on the environment.

On a separate matter, Aminuddin said the state government planned to paint glow-in-the-dark lines on the Pantai Temiang bypass and Lukut-Sepang roads.

Meanwhile, state agriculture, food security and cost of living committee chairman Jalaluddin Alias said an allocation of RM1.69 million had been channelled to the state’s veterinary services department for the improvement of livestock production.

He said the allocation was sufficient to ensure that meat production in the state would continue to increase and stabilise, ensuring food security.

Meanwhile, the assembly also approved a bill to amend the Royal Allocation Enactment (Negeri Sembilan) 1960 regarding an increase in the royal allowances.

The state assembly sitting was adjourned sine die. - FMT