Nov 21, 2011
Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir tabled the state's 2012 Budget amounting to RM865.12 million and a projected deficit of RM50.14 million in the state assembly in Ipoh today.
The budget was divided into RM594.26 million for administrative expenditure and RM321 million for development of its people and the state, recording a higher deficit compared with the 2011 sum of RM29.91 million.
"I'm happy with the 2012 Budget, as more than 50 percent of the development portion is allocated to improve the lives of the people, who are the BN government's main priority. And the deficit is less than seven percent of the state's reserve," Zambry said.
He explained that the projected deficit was necessary to ensure continuity for the well-being of the people and it was not funded by any central government loan.
Apart from that, Zambry also informed that for the first time, revenue that did not fulfill syariah principles would be separated into a special bank account.
However, revenue from this account would still be used to fund development projects, he elaborated.
An allocation of RM18 million was made for the 2012 Visit Perak Year, which included maintenance and upgrading works for existing tourist attractions, he said.
The education sector received RM31 million to cover equipment, facilities and education loans, he said.
Describing infrastructure and public amenities as key to the state's development, Zambry said RM65 million was provided to the Public Works Department.
Rolling plan fund for house buyers
"Of that sum, RM31 million is for new roads and bridges, and to widen and upgrade existing roads and bridges, and RM34 million for development projects," he noted.
"A house is a place of shelter and a basic necessity for every family. With the awareness that house prices are on the rise, the state has formed a RM60 million three-year 'rolling plan' fund, out of which RM10 million is for 2012," he said.
Acknowledging their service to the country, ex-army and retired police would receive 7,000 lots of land for housing at a premium of RM500 each, to be developed by the Armed Forces and Police Cooperatives, said Zambry.
A Women and Children's Shelter costing RM1 million will be built to protect those who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, he said.
Furthermore, the state government has agreed to reduce by 50 percent the quit rent for office premises occupied by non-governmental organisations and associations, subject to one office per organisation. An estimated 5,000 such registered bodies are expected to benefit from the reduction," Zambry said.
The sitting resumes tomorrow with question and answer sessions, budget debate and other agenda.
