Perak govt tables RM700m'budget for all'

The Pakatan rakyat-led state government tabled a Rm700 million budget yesterday geared towards social justice and the welfare of all the residents in the state, irrespective of race, religion and political leaning.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who tabled the budget said:"The previous state government had a continuous defocit budget of an average of RM35 million for the past four years but we have managed to reduce the 2009 deficit budget to RM25 million.
"By god's grace , we hope to bring the state's deficit budget toa healthy surplus budget in four years time if we are re-elected for another term of office."
Mohammad Nizar said the state government will be taking proactive measures to boost the state coffers.
One source of income is forest land revenue, which has only generated RM17 million in 2008. The government hopes to generate income of RM40 million from such revenue next year.
The second source of income will be from the royalty in the mineral mining activities.
The third source is from land revenue. The state has identified 10 pieces of land, which will be made available through open tender.
The fourth measure is to prevent wastage of public funds through prudent management at all levels of the state administration,whereby there will be no form of corruption or cronyism, he said.
Mohammad Nizar said the state government is ready to work with NGOs to uplift the social economic status of the people.
He said the budget is lailored undaer the five principles of social justuce, trust, transparency, welfare and accountability.
It is balanced with no elements of discrimination of race or religion, especially in welfare services.
"We are returning the state's generated revenue back to the rakyat through education, religions and other activities. In fact, the people are going to enjoy the benefits of the budget even better than last year when the atate was under Barisan nasional," he said.
The state government has also allocated RM300,000 for the state information deoartment to highlight the Pakatan Rakyat 's activities in the state since the main media is not giving enough coverage to such acyivities.