Kedah tables RM1.38b budget for 2018

ALOR STAR: The Kedah Government today tabled a budget of RM1.38 billion for 2018, with a deficit of RM75.72 million or 9.71%.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said RM855.22 million was allocated for operating expenditure and RM532.2 million for development expenditure.
"The development expenditure comprises RM274.66 million in loans from the federal government for water supply development projects.
"The deficit projection recorded a decline of 10.28% in 2017, from 14.95% in 2016, it is testimony that the government is capable of making a realistic and achievable budget," he said when tabling the budget at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here.
He said under the operating expenditure, RM262.84 million was allocated for the payment of emoluments, services and supplies (RM161.18 million), grants and fixed payments (RM74.38 million), purchase of assets (RM13.4 million) and other expenses (RM5.1 million).
Themed 'Menerus Kemajuan, Menzahir Impian', Ahmad Bashah said Budget 2018 focused on three strategies, namely to improve social justice and the well-being of the people through the philosophy of 'Bajet mudah dilaksana, manfaat dikongsi bersama'.
Others are to stimulate and diversify the state's basic economy as preparation for the future and to achieve balanced and high impact development through practical and achievable policies.
He said the state government also estimated revenue of RM779.50 million next year with tax collection, making the biggest contribution at RM302.96 million or 38.8%, and RM252.59 million in non-tax revenue and RM223.94 million in non-revenue receipts.
The gross domestic product for 2018 is projected to be RM40.441 million. – Bernama