Penang state govt tables RM1.45b budget for 2017

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today tabled a RM1.45billion budget for 2017 with the bulk of it going for development purposes.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a sum of RM887million was allocated for development and RM564.51million for operations.
The estimated deficit for Budget 2017 was RM667.1million compared to RM292.13million in 2016 with revenue for next year estimated at RM687,413,100, he said when tabling the Supply and Development Enactment 2017 in the state legislative assembly.
"Even though the deficit for 2017 has increased, this will not affect our commitment to implement development projects and social assistance programmes," he added.
Lim also announced a year-end half-month bonus for civil servants in Penang or a minimum RM700 bonus payment while those who have less than four days sick leave as at November 2016 are entitled to a further quarter-month bonus.
"The half-month bonus will involve 4,178 civil servants and total RM4.19million," he said, adding RM786,000 is to be allocated to 1,502 KAFA teachers, 225 Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat teachers, 185 Sekolah Menegah Agama Rakyat teachers, private Chinese schools staff and 279 Tahfiz, TADIS and Guru Pondok teachers.
The state administration allocated RM220million for flood mitigation measures where RM150million was for the State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) for nine projects statewide, with the largest being a RM19.1million project in Padang Lalang and Kampung Permatang Rawa.
Lim said RM50million will be used by the Penang Water Supply Corp (PBAPP) to build a pipe where water from the Air Itam Dam can be pumped to the Teluk Bahang Dam.
The Penang Island City Council will also be allocated RM11.61million for several flood mitigation measures including in Hilir Sungai Pinang and Parit Lumba Kuda while the Seberang Perai Municipal Council will be allocated RM9.45million for monsoon drains, retention ponds and pump houses maintenance.
Lim said the assessment tax exemption for residents of low-cost, low-medium cost and village houses will continue in 2017 and a 6% discount on assessment tax on all property, including commercial properties, will come into effect next year.