THE Penang government, for the first time, organised an engagement session involving all stakeholders, including assemblymen and Members of Parliament, in the preparation of Budget 2023.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the engagement session was aimed at improving development planning in every area in the state in a sustainable manner and in line with the Penang2030 vision.
Chow delivering his speech as (from left) Mohd Zakuan, Law, Ramasamy and Zahidah look on.
Several assemblymen also thanked the state government for hosting the engagement session while giving their feedback at Hotel Jen in George Town today.
Chow, in response, said this was the first time in 14 years that the Pakatan Harapan-led government held the engagement session and would do so from time to time.
“From this engagement session, we (the state government) can hear the voice of the people through the people’s representatives.
“With this, we can identify important projects that can help improve the quality of life of the people,” Chow said in his round-up.
Earlier, in his speech at the start of the session, Chow said the engagement session was focused on Penang2030 vision, Theme C – Empower the People to Strengthen Civic Participation, under Strategic Initiative C4: Accelerate Programme Delivery and Institutional Reform.
He said any proposals by the assemblymen and Members of Parliament would be evaluated and given priority accordingly for implementation by the State Economic Planning Division (BPEN) and the state Finance Department.
Among those present were State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, Deputy State Financial Officer Zahidah Abd Jalil, exco members and heads of various departments and agencies of the state government.
Touching on the current economic performance, Chow noted that the state’s accumulated savings under the Consolidated Fund in 2021 had been successfully increased to RM2.12 billion from RM1.82 billion in 2020.
“This increase was contributed by receipts under the Consolidated Trust Account which had increased from RM933.68 million in 2020 to RM1.27 billion last year.
“However, it is reminded that receipts under the Consolidated Trust Account can only be used for specific purposes under the relevant Trust account only,” he further explained.
Satees suggesting the idea of setting up a botanic garden in Seberang Perai.
Chow added that the state government also managed to increase the total revenue collection for 2021 amounting to RM692.24 million, an increase of RM186.22 million or 36.8% compared to the 2021 projected revenue.
“The breakdown of the revenue by component is non-tax revenue amounting to RM474.23 million or 68.51% and tax revenue amounting to RM133.33 or 12.23% of the total collection.
“This increase in revenue is an extension of the control to reduce state government expenditure which has helped reduce the deficit in 2021 from RM403.81 million to RM38.66 million.
“Therefore, the cooperation of all assemblymen and Members of Parliament is needed to help the state government control expenditure. It is necessary so that the total deficit for 2022 can be reduced without affecting services to the people,” said Chow, who also holds the Land & Economic Development and Communications portfolios.
At the same time, Chow said the state government remains committed to delivering its services and would always strive to perform its responsibilities well despite facing enormous economic challenges.
“The state government believes that the state’s economy will be restored with prudent financial management.
“Therefore, every project, programme or initiative implemented by the state government must be geared towards realising the achievement of Penang2030,” he commented.
Following Chow’s speech, Lekshimi Muniandy, the Budget Unit Chief from the state Finance Department, presented the state government’s financial performance report for 2022 and the expected revenue and expenditure for 2023.
After that, state Deputy Secretary (Development) Datuk Mohd Zakuan Zakaria presented the state Economic Planning Division’s (BPEN) development allocation report for 2022 (until June 30, 2022) as well as the 2023 development budget estimate.
This was followed by the presentation of reports from representatives from each of the five districts before several assemblymen stood up to air their views on water issues, government land, botanic garden for Seberang Perai, and additional infrastructure.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
