KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan state government has only received RM40 million in Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) (financial aid) from the Federal Government, compared to last year's RM331.38 mil.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said there is a significant difference on the amount received compared to previous years and he hoped the remaining funds could be distributed at the end of this year.
"For BWI, in 2020 we received RM190.85 mil; in 2021 we received RM201.04 mil, while last year we received RM331.38 mil and this year RM40 mil.
"The government is still at the negotiation stage and we hope that the balance of the BWI can be given at the end of this year, which is next month.
"Let's pray together," he said when answering a question from Rozi Mohamad (PAS-Tendong) regarding the amount of BWI channelled by the Federal Government from 2020 until this year to Kelantan.
Meanwhile, when answering an additional question posed by Azhar Salleh (PAS-Pulau Chondong) regarding expectations and follow-up actions taken, Mohd Nassuruddin said, of course the state government has expectations regarding the remaining BWI as there are negotiations.
"Through the discussion of the previous meeting, we voiced a number of issues and the reaction of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was very positive.
"We have also spoken about a special visit to the Prime Minister and have sent a letter, but until now we have not received a date regarding that matter.
"Even if there is no meeting, we hope that the rest of the BWI can be channelled," he said.