Terengganu tables deficit Budget for 2020

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 24 -- The Terengganu government today tabled a deficit budget of 10 per cent for next year, with an estimated expenditure of RM1.832 billion, compared to the projected state revenue of RM1.666 billion.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said that of the state's estimated revenue of RM1.666 billion, 85.41 per cent was from Federal government grants.

"Income from tax revenue is RM66.93 million, non-tax revenue is RM170.37 million and non-revenue receipts is RM1.43 billion," he said when tabling the 2020 Budget at the state legislative assembly here.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Samsuri said the state government had allocated RM4 million to develop the state in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0.

According to him, among the initiatives to be undertaken were digital industry development plan, smart city concept, as well as to promote a 'cashless society' via the Terengganu Pay payment gateway to be introduced next year.

For sports, youth and non-governmental organisations, Ahmad Samsuri said RM30 million was set aside for various social and physical developments covering multiple sectors.

He said of the total, RM13.2 million had been allocated to build an indoor squash complex, a shooting range complex, as well as to refurbish and upgrade the existing futsal courts.

"The state government has also allocated RM4.5 million for the reintroduction of district-level leagues for major sports such as football, sepak takraw and badminton,” he added.

Ahmad Samsuri also announced an RM500 one-off incentive for 12,863 civil servants in the state with an allocation of RM6.431 million.

"However, the date of handing out the incentive has yet to be finalised," he said.

-- BERNAMA