IPOH, Feb 8 — Perak is hopeful that the federal government will be able to channel an allocation of RM3 billion as expenditure specifically for its people-centric projects, ahead of the 2023 Budget which will be presented on Feb 24.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the allocation was to fund commitments of the state and the request had been presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I have led a state delegation to hold a meeting with him and we presented a list that requires immediate solutions for the people such as additional beds at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB), repairs of federal roads and others.
“Tomorrow, Deputy Minister of Finance Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan will be present to give a briefing to all state exco members and elected representatives, including from the Opposition, so that what is presented can be included in the 2023 (Federal) Budget,” he said after launching the Student Emergency Aid and donation of free food aid under 2023 Tuition Cikgu Saarani (TCS) Initiative today.
Also present were State Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah, State Women Development, Family, Social Welfare and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Salbiah Mohamed and Perak state secretary (SUK) Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim
Saarani said the state government also hopes that the meeting with the Ministry of Finance tomorrow will present an overall picture on why the state needs the additional allocation to be approved.
“We fully understand that it involves a very large amount, but if it is not possible to fulfill our requests, do not reject everything,” he said.
