Government to spend within its means: Shafie
Published on: Saturday, November 10, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The new State Government will spend within its means next year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.He advised all parties concerned to prioritise and exercise prudent spending in accordance with the Government's aspiration to strengthen its financial position, prevent leakages and unnecessary spending.He said the State Government has proposed to allocate a total of RM4,159.68 million next year for supply estimates for the purpose of facilitating and strengthening the Government.ADVERTISEMENT Shafie said the amount (RM4,159.68 million) involves an increase of RM55.33 million or 1.35 per cent compared to the original estimate in year 2018 of RM4,104.35 million.He said the amount is divided into three parts, namely emolument expenditure, recurring expenditure and special expenditure."Of the total supply estimates for next year, a total of RM742.14 million is proposed for emoluments and this figure recorded a decline of RM21.53 million or 2.82 per cent as compared to this year of RM763.67 million."One of the reasons is due to retirement of several Sabah civil servants. In addition, recruitment of new officers and staff also involves the lower payroll category," he said when tabling the proposed surplus State Budget 2019 at the State Legislative Assembly, Friday.ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, Shafie said the recurring expenditure is proposed at RM1,371.94 million for next year, which involves an increase of RM71.09 million or 5.46 per cent compared to year 2018 of RM1,300.85 million.He said this increase is required to cover the operating costs due to the creation of Ministry of Law and Native Affairs and Kalabakan District Office.
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For special expenditure, Shafie proposed it to be at RM2,045.60 million for next year, an increase by RM5.77 million or equivalent to 0.28 per cent compared to last year at RM2,039.83 million."This increase was for the purchase of vehicles and boats; the management of water treatment plant under Outsource Contract; purchase of water and expenses related to water privatisation as well as contributions to the Development Trust Fund at RM800 million."RM380 million is further allocated to increase contributions to the 'sinking fund' to enable bond repayment which will matured by the end of year 2019," he said.Shafie said State Development Expenditure is one of the main sources or factors needed to drive the State's economic growth.He said this expenditure is distributed and controlled through the Development Budget and allocation for this purpose is derived from contributions of the State Supply Expenditure as well as Federal funds in the form of grants and loans."I propose that RM934.68 million to be allocated for the Development Expenditure and this amount comprises of allocation from the Sabah Government amounting to RM695.39 million and from the Federal Government with a total amount of RM239.28 million."The Federal allocation consists of the Federal Reimbursable amounting to RM59.53 million and the Federal loans of RM179.75 million," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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In line with the 2019 Budget Theme 'Driving Growth For The People', Shafie said the development allocation will focus on economic sector as the largest recipient of RM470.07 million or equivalent to 68 per cent, followed by the social sector with allocation amounting to RM208.03 million which is equivalent to two per cent of the total development allocation. - Hayati DzulkifliPhoto Source: Bernama