By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, Nov 27 — The over RM200 million deficit in the 2022 Selangor Budget (#Selangor2022) will not burden the state government, says Menteri Besar.
Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is because Selangor has a growing and strong reserve that can be used.
“Last year, the deficit was about RM100 million and for this time, it is estimated to be over RM200 million because our target revenue for next year is less than this year.
“The increased deficit is not really an issue as we have a growing reserve which could be used during a crisis.
“I think this is the right time for the state government to spend more in order to ensure development projects could be implemented,” Amirudin said during a press conference after he had tabled the 2022 Selangor Budget at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.
Yesterday, the Selangor government announced the state’s budget with a total allocation of RM2.34 billion in an effort to benefit more people, business community and economy.
Amirudin said taking into account the expected state revenue of RM2.1 billion and the estimated expenditure of RM2.323 billion, the #Selangor2022 budget would see a deficit of RM222.7 million.
“Next year’s deficit is higher compared to this year, in order to provide funding for substantive development to strengthen the economic drive during the post-pandemic period and thus build a multi-aspect resilient state,” he said.
