THE Penang government has tabled a projected operating expenditure of RM792.66 million next year.
In tabling a deficit Budget, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the projected deficit next year (2020) was lower than the projected deficit this year.
“With a projected revenue of RM519.16 million, the Penang government envisioned a deficit of RM273.5 million.
“The projected deficit for the year 2020 is 30.88% lower than this year’s projected deficit of RM395.69 million.
“It is due to the lower projected operating expenses for the year 2020.
“The projected operating expenditure is RM792.66 million next year, as compared with RM901.19 million this year.
“The Budget took into account the contribution of RM150 million to the state development fund next year (2020) as compared with RM230 million this year.
“The lower contribution to the state development fund is considered after taking into account the receipt of loan repayment from Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to the state government next year (2020).
“Hence, it must be stressed that the lower contribution will not affect the development of projects planned for the year 2020,” Chow tabled the state’s 2020 Budget during the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Chow viewed the state’s 2020 Budget as a ‘careful and down-to-earth’ Budget; enough to support the development in Penang.
He said the state welcomed the funding from the Federal Government and encouraged the private sector to hold corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Chow added that although a projected deficit Budget was tabled, there is a high possibility for the state to obtain a surplus at the end of the financial year in December.
“For example, the state projected a deficit of RM395.69 million this year (2019), however, we may be able to obtain a surplus – at least RM50 million to RM60 million – at the end of the year.
“This is due to careful financial management without affecting the state’s development efforts,” he told a press conference after tabling the Budget.
Chow also said that the projected growth rate of the state would usually be between 0.1% and 0.2% higher than the national growth rate.
“The projected national growth rate is between 4.95% and 5.1%,” he said.
In the state’s 2020 Budget, some RM13.6 million has been allocated to maintain public housing schemes in Penang. The Penang government also set aside RM6.8 million next year to maintain private housing schemes through the Penang Maximum 80% Housing Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP).
Chow said that the state also apportioned RM250,000 for a total period of five years (RM50,000 per year from 2020) to promote the Cigarette Smoke-Free Penang (Penbar) programme.
“The no-smoking zones under Penbar will be widened in all five districts in 2020. This is in line with the state’s commitment to make Penang a smoke-free state.”
Chow also said that some RM886,000 was allocated next year to provide free mammogram screening for women under the Mammo Penang programme.
“The programme is implemented with the cooperation of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN),” he said.
Chow said the state’s welfare programme, iSejahtera, would be continued.
“The Penang government is allocating RM50 million for the welfare programmes under iSejahtera. We are increasing the RM130 iSejahtera cash aid for senior citizens to RM150. The increment will benefit 178,000 senior citizens in the state.
“Some 10,000 disabled persons who are registered with the iSejahtera programme will also receive a cash aid of RM150 next year,” Chow said.
He added that the Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) free bus service would be continued.
“The state has allocated RM15 million for the bus service,” he said.
Chow also announced a RM60.05 million allocation for the preservation of Islam.
“As for the allocation to upgrade and implement road infrastructure projects, the state has set aside RM35.12 million. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has allocated RM37.35 million while the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) allocated RM36.21 million for the same purpose.
The Penang government has also apportioned a huge sum of RM104.53 million to upgrade the drainage system and to address flood.
Chow announced an allocation of RM104.53 million for that purpose.
A total of 3,996 civil servants in Penang would also receive a half-month bonus or a minimum RM1,000 special financial aid. The aid would be disbursed in December this year (2019).
In addition, the Penang government allocated RM841,500 in financial aid for supervisors and KAFA teachers, religious school teachers, staff and teachers of private Chinese schools, guru tahfiz, guru pondok and guru TADIS. The aid would be distributed in December this year (2019).
The Penang’s 2020 Budget also include:
i) Sports development = RM10.05 million
ii) Agricultural sector development = RM4.07 million
iii) Increase state’s livestock industry = RM2.98 million (for the Veterinary Services Department)
iv) Development of Penang Hill = RM15.4 million
v) Tourism sector development = RM35.8 million
vi) Private, Chinese, Tamil, missionary and religious schools = RM12 million
vii) Maintain government schools = RM5 million
viii) Financial aid for Penang-born students of public institutions, private institutions and polytechnics approved by the state executive council meeting = RM4 million
ix) To implement programmes under the Gender inclusiveness agenda = RM200,000
x) To execute programmes under the Women, Family Development and Gender Inclusiveness agenda = RM1.5 million (for Penang Women’s Development Corporation)
xi) To strengthen the leadership of Village Community Management Councils (MPKK) = RM4.1 million
xii) Set up Penang Digital Corporation to coordinate and implement digital and smart initiatives = RM2.1 million
xiii) Training courses for civil servants = RM1.2 million
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud