ALLOCATIONS TO STATES TO BE FAIRER, SAYS DPM
Administration will take into account state govt’s finances, says Wan Azizah
THE government has given its assurance to practise a fairer distribution of federal allocations to all states. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said such a stand was made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who yesterday chaired the first National Finance Council meeting after the 14th General Election.
She said the administration would take into account a state government’s financial ability.
“He (Dr Mahathir) has stated that the government must be fair in disbursing (federal) allocations,” she said after the council meeting at the Finance Ministry.
She said the government was of the view that some rich states could accommodate their own expenses compared with poorer states.
In this respect, Dr Wan Azizah said poor states should get more allocation.
“Although some (oppositionled) states are not with the Federal Government, we will channel allocations to them by factoring in the people’s needs, and not politics,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir arrived at the Finance Ministry about 9.40am to chair the meeting.
The meeting was attended by menteris besar, chief ministers and state secretaries.
Present was Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
The meeting deliberated on various matters, including finance management at the state level and oil royalty payments.