State leaders give thumbs up to people-friendly Budget 2021

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the Budget would directly benefit the people in the state especially through proposed infrastructure projects like the Kubang Pasu water treatment plant, upgrading of the Grik-Kulim federal road and the special development zone in Yan and Baling.

"Both the increased rubber production incentive and incentives to fishermen and farmers will greatly benefit the target groups in Kedah.

"For the upgrading of rural roads worth RM1.32 billion, I do hope that the roads in the areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) and Felda will be given attention,” he said.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the government needs to ensure every proposal in the budget is implemented properly.

"Budget 2021 proves that the government has heard the people. It is very important for the government to ensure assistance reaches the target groups,” he added.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the Budget showed the government’s commitment to helping the people through various initiatives, especially the B40 group that is badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This includes the Felda settlers’ debt interest write-off of RM400 million that will bring much needed relief to the settlers,” he said, describing the budget as people friendly.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Budget focused on financial assistance to reduce the impact of COVID-19, adding that the state government would ensure the aid provided would be used for the people in addition to the economic sector in Penang.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Assistant Minister for Water Supply Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the Budget allocation to improve rural infrastructure would reduce the burden borne by Sarawak.

“The announcement of the RM632 million allocation for rural and alternative water supply for an estimated 4,800 houses will help Sarawak in the state’s effort to supply clean water to every household in Sarawak by 2025,” he said.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said the allocation of RM20 million to four states, including Melaka, would be used to help improve infrastructure and intensify the promotion of the cultural village that will benefit the state tourism sector immensely.

He said that the tourism sector was the state’s main economic contributor and the allocation would provide incentives, especially for the development of facilities to support and enhance the tourism industry in Melaka.

According to him, the RM150 million allocation for the Raw Water Transfer Project from Sungai Kesang and Tasik Biru to the Jus Reservoir in Jasin would help solve the water issues in Melaka.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the 2021 Budget was the result of an inclusive approach with feedback from various parties, cutting across all states and political parties.

“We can see the government’s efforts to safeguard the welfare of the people through the prevention and control of COVID-19, the strengthening of finances for households, increased job opportunities, as well as the revitalisation of the economy and businesses that have been badly affected.

“At the same time, the government has not forgotten its efforts to empower the bumiputera agenda and Islam. It also provides incentives to the affected and low-income groups including traders, farmers and fishermen,” he said through a statement.

Meanwhile, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad said that the 2021 Budget prioritises the prosperity of Malaysians amid an economic recession caused by COVID-19.

Hasni said the various allocations provided to protect the welfare of vulnerable groups through subsidies, assistance and incentives, clearly shows the federal government’s commitment towards Malaysians.

In the context of Johor, he said the budget has prepared several allocations to help the state government create employment opportunities and revitalise the economy.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob described the 2021 Budget as an inclusive one, with various incentives and assistance given to the people, including the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), to help overcome a challenging economic situation following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Islamic development has also been given attention through an allocation of RM1.4 billion. In addition, the increased allocation from RM3.1 billion to RM11.1 billion for the bumiputera agenda shows the government’s effort to support the development of bumiputeras,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.