GEORGE TOWN: The state government today tabled a lean budget with an allocation of RM792.6 million for next year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the budget was about 12 per cent lower than this year’s budget of RM901.19 million.
He said the state also projected a lower deficit of RM273.50 million, compared with this year’s projected deficit of RM395.68 million.
“The main reasons for the reduction in the expenditure was due to the contribution to the State Development Consolidated Fund, which has been reduced to RM150 million, compared to RM230 million last year.
“The reduction in the contribution to the fund was in consideration of the Penang Development Corporation and Penang Water Supply Corporation’s repayment of a loan to the state government next year,” he said during the state assembly sitting here.
Chow said the budget for development expenditure was 12 per cent lower than this year’s RM269.3million.
The state government, said Chow, expected to collect RM519 million in revenue next year, which is an increase of 2.7 percent compared to this year.
Despite the smaller budget, the state government did not skimp on the goodies.
Chow said the state government had allocated RM13.6 million and RM6.8 million for the Public Housing Maintenance Fund and the Maximum 80 Per Cent Maintenance Fund respectively.
A total of RM250,000, he said, was allocated for Penang Smoke Free promotion and advocating programmes over a period of five years, starting from next year.
“We have also allocated RM886,000 for the Mammo-Penang programme, and RM50 million for the iSejahtera welfare programme.
“The state government is also increasing the yearly aid for senior citizens and disabled persons from RM130 to RM150,” he said.
Chow said the senior citizens aid was expected to benefit 178,000 people at a cost of RM26.7million.
The state government, he said, had also set aside RM1.5 million in disabled persons aid, which would benefit 10,000 people.
“The state government is also continuing the free Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT), which costs RM15 million,” he added.
Chow said the state government had allocated RM60.05 million for Islamic development and RM10.05 million to liven up the sports arena in Penang.
The state budget for 2020 also included RM4.07 million in allocation for agricultural development, which will enable the state administration to use technology to boost the agricultural sector.
“A total of RM2.98 million is allocated for the Veterinary Department for husbandry industry,” he said.
Chow said RM35.8 million was allocated for the tourism sector.
“The allocation for maintenance of schools has also been increased from RM3 million this year to RM5 million for next year.
“We are also continuing the RM1,000 aid for students entering Higher Education Institutions in the Peninsular and RM1,200 for Higher Education Institutions in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as RM300 for students enrolling in Polytechnics,” he said, adding that a total of RM4 million had been aside for this purpose.
He said RM200,000 was allocated for gender inclusivity programmes and RM1.5 million for Penang Women Development Corporation to continue its women and family development, and gender inclusivity agenda.
“We allocated RM35.12 million for road upgrading and building project, while the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Perai City Council were allocated RM37.35 and RM36.21 respectively for road building works,” he said.
Chow also announced a RM104.53 million in allocation for flood mitigation projects.