The Malacca Government today tabled the State Budget 2017 totaling RM348.78 million with the State revenue estimated to be about RM349 million, recording a surplus budget for 13 consecutive years.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the budget had increased compared to last year's which amounted to RM327.08 million, with the budget tabled today comprising a management expense of RM339.31 million and a liability expenditure of RM9.47 million.

"The surplus budget showed that the state government continued to take steps to strengthen its financial resources through revenue collection and prudent spending," he said in his speech when tabling the budget at the Malacca State Assembly sitting in Ayer Keroh here.

He said RM105.64 million of the management expenditure had been allocated for emolument payments for permanent officers; RM144.62 million for services and supplies; RM3.5 million for asset procurement; and RM42.86 million for the State Development Fund.

Idris said RM24.4 million would also be allocated for salary payments to agencies and subsidiaries, contributions to associations and non-governmental organisations like women's groups, security forces, veterans and others.

"In line with the budget's theme of Ensuring Unity and Economic Growth, Inclusive Prudent Spending, Well-being of the Rakyat, the government has increased the development budget to RM60 million compared to RM55 million in 2016 for development projects," he said.

He said the state revenue next year included RM136.6 million from taxes, RM154.2 million in non-tax revenue and RM58 million non-tax revenue.

"Revenue collection is expected to increase by RM21.7 million or 6.6 percent more compared to 2016. The fact that revenue exceeds expenditure, the state government is tabling a surplus budget," he said.

He added that the budget was focused on increasing efforts to meet the needs of the people and strengthen the state economy based on four main strategies.

These strategies were improving the standard of living of the people, encouraging the state tourism sector, Malacca as a pioneer state for green development and empowering integrity in government administration, he said. -- Bernama