Terengganu assembly passes additional RM100m allocation

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu State Legislative Assembly today approved the motion on an additional allocation of RM100 million under Budget 2017 to finance various developments in the state.
The motion was tabled by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and later adopted as the Supplementary Supply Enactment 2017 after being passed unanimously by state assemblymen and approved by Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong.
Ahmad Razif said that the additional expenditure was needed to finance the development of Kenyir Lake Duty Free Zone, Double Road Frontage Phase 2, Seri Bandi Affordable Homes, Kemaman and construction of the Chendering New Palace.
"The expenditure is also to finance the poverty eradication programme, village and community development, upgrading the districts sports complexes, the development of state drainage, the upgrading works of Sungai Buaya and Sungai Seluang (Marang) drainage system and the development of small projects throughout the state constituencies," he said after tabling the motion at the state assembly sitting held at Wisma Darul Iman here today.
Later, when met by reporters, he said the additional expenditure was a move taken by the state government to reduce next year budget deficit.
"The RM100 million is not a new provision of the state government, but part of the Budget 2017 which was previously tabled, and will be used as additional allocation to finance the developments in the state.
"When the reality on the ground happens beyond our expectation, additional allocation needs to be made, to empower the treasury to make necessary payments, otherwise the payments will not be made and our deficit (budget) will be high," he said.
The assembly had also passed the Malay Reservation Enactment (Amendment) 2017 to protect the interests of the Malay-owned land in the state.
Mohd Zubir then adjourned the assembly sine die. — Bernama