By Yasmin Ramlan
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari believes the Budget 2024 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim takes a balanced approach to stimulating the economy.
He said many initiatives by the Federal government, including providing subsidies and financial assistance, are meant to ensure every level of society is not left behind.
There were also various programmes benefitting different industries, including the Selangor government.
“I think it is a balanced budget to stimulate the economy. There is assistance for small and medium enterprises, restructuring of the subsidy scheme, aid for the poor, and a focus on technical and vocational education and training, higher education, schools and rural areas, among others.
“Simultaneously, the state government is very pleased with the announcement of several projects in the state, such as the Sungai Langat Phase 2 flood mitigation project and Pulau Carey, which I believe will be a catalyst to the success of the sector, especially in Selangor,” Amirudin said.
He was speaking to the press after the Budget 2024 tabling by Anwar in Parliament earlier today.
During the tabling, the Prime Minister announced the proposal to develop the Pulau Carey port would be realised via a Request for Proposal in a bid to enhance Port Klang’s role.
Additionally, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, announced a RM11.8 billion allocation for 33 high-priority flood mitigation projects, including Sungai Langat Phase 2.
Meanwhile, Amirudin commended several other initiatives announced under Budget 2024, including efforts to foster green technology and environmental sustainability, develop the Federal Territories, and reduce the disparities between income groups.
Separately, the Menteri Besar credited the Federal government for reducing the entertainment tax in the Federal Territories, taking a page out of Selangor’s book.
“Alhamdulillah, our formula will be implemented (at the Federal level) because I believe the entertainment duty or tax cannot be applied as a blanket policy for all, which does not truly reflect the primary objective of the tax in the first place,” he said.
Last year, the state government exempted the entertainment duty before extending the exemption period until the end of this year.
