By Rosli Mansor
A total of RM1.19 billion was presented in the Perak State Budget 2023 with a special focus on driving economic growth and an agenda to improve people’s lives.
Perak Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad said that under the theme “Prosperous Perak, Prosperous People”, Perak’s 2023 budget allocates RM395 million for development expenditure while RM 794 million for operating expenditure.
“From the Revenue and Expenditure projections, the State Government’s Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2023 will close with an expected deficit of RM30.0 million.
“Increased allocation for development purposes which increased by RM 93 million compared to 2022 with most of it channelled for the purpose of people’s welfare programmes.
“This increase takes into account the need to spend for the benefit of the people as a whole.
“The main reason for the increase is the commitment to physical projects including the construction, repair and upgrading of various infrastructures and facilities as well as people’s welfare programmes,” he said when presenting the Perak 2023 Budget recently.
The Perak 2023 Budget sets FIVE main focuses which are People’s Well-Being, Governance of Projects of State Interest, Environmental Sustainability, Food Supply Security and Human and Youth Capital Development.
The Menteri Besar said, aware of the reality of the uncertainty of the economic climate that still surrounds the lives of the people, the State Government formulated various programmes and projects towards achieving the well-being of the people as a whole with allocations amounting to RM 373.8 million.
“Understanding the need to accommodate the people affected by the economic squeeze, especially the B40 target group, the State Government has increased the funds for the implementation of the Prosperous Perak Card Programme to RM25.2 million, which is an increase of RM2.4 million compared to 2022.
“The Food Card Assistance rate has been increased from RM80 to RM90 per month for each recipient. While the Health Card remains at the rate of RM150 per year. This programme is expected to benefit 20,000 beneficiaries,” added Saarani.
