2018 Budget Focuses On Reducing Cost Of Living
KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 11 (Bernama) --The Terengganu state government has highlighted four main pillars touching on immediate needs and priority of the people in tackling the cost of living which is increasing.
Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, who tabled the budget at the State Assembly at Wisma Darul Iman here today, said it was an inclusive budget that focused on all walks of life.
"The four pillars are to reduce the burden of the people in tackling the rising cost of living, secondly, improving and creating employment opportunities, thirdly, fulfilling the housing needs of the people and fourthly, developments which were inclusive and people-centric, "he said.
He said, in order to reduce the cost of living, the state government would provide free water supply for domestic consumption up to 20 cubic metres with an allocation of RM6.3 million which would benefit 100,000 homes.
In order to assist taxi drivers who were competing with the GRAB and UBER taxi drivers, he said a one-off aid of RM500 would be given to all taxi drivers registered with the Land Public Transport Commission.
The state government would also give a one-off RM500 aid to 50 stage bus drivers in recognition of their role in the forefront of the Terengganu tourism industry.
Ahmad Razif further said the state government would introduce the Youth Trade Transformation Programme next year to produce 100 entrepreneurs among youths through the Terengganu Entrepreneur Development Foundation with an allocation of RM1.2 million.
The 2018 Budget, he said would also not sideline the disabled as they would be given priority over home ownership through the My Terengganu Sayang Housing Programmme (PPTS) or formerly known as the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT) with an allocation of RM32 million.
"The state government will also work with the Federal Government to implement several housing projects for the people of Terengganu involving an allocation of RM400 million," he said.
Taking cognisance of the events at the Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Centre, in Kuala Lumpur recently, he said the state government had also allocated RM126,000 to registered tahfiz centres to provide fire safety equipment.
In appreciation of the services rendered by 12,756 civil servants in the state, the state government also agreed to give a bonus of RM1,500 to each person with an allocation of RM19.13 million, he added.
-- BERNAMA
