Adenan, who is also the State Finance Minister, said the expenditure is expected to generate a fairly high level of economic activities to sustain the state’s economic growth and ultimately narrow the overall development gap between it and the Peninsular.
“More than 50 per cent of the development allocation in the proposed budget is for the implementation of programmes and projects in the rural areas,” he added.
This is the first time Adenan is tabling the budget in the state assembly sitting here following his appointment as Chief Minister in March this year.
He said of the total proposed development allocation for next year, RM1.64 billion is for implementation of industrial and commercial programmes and projects, RM583 million for general administration, RM408 million for public utilities, RM148 million for agriculture and land development, RM1.36 billion for social development and community services and RM397 million for transport and communications.
Adenan said the proposed 2015 budget is aimed at generating a surplus of RM365 million with an estimated total revenue of RM5.17 billion, against a total proposed ordinary expenditure of RM4.81 billion.
He said it is imperative for the state government to continue with a balanced or surplus budget policy to ensure that the financial position remains strong and sustainable in the long run.
“We need to spend within our means to ensure that we will always have sufficient financial reserves to meet future challenges,” he added.
Adenan said Sarawak had also been given a clean bill of health for the 2013 public accounts by the Auditor-General, hence receiving such recognition for the 12th consecutive year.
— BERNAMA
