MB: Ensure no leakages
FAIR DISTRIBUTION: Allocations must reach target groups, says Khaled
THE Johor government hopes that the 2017 Budget allocations will be distributed fairly and efficiently, in line with the policies to ensure no leakages.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said attention should be given to ensure the allocations reached the target groups.
“Normally, there’ll be a gap between policy and implementation. For example, the announcement by the prime minister on an allocation for repair of flats in towns.
“How can we ensure that the allocation reaches them because there are only some places with flats, like in Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Selangor?” he asked.
He said it was important to ensure that only those eligible could receive the allocation so that the facilities provided met their objectives in line with government policy. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri volunteers repainting the wall of a villager’s home at Sungai Masai in Johor Baru yesterday.
“Otherwise, the allocation will never be enough,” he said after the 2016 Johor Future Home programme at Kampung Kuala Masai in Pasir Gudang here yesterday.
Khaled said the Federal Government’s various initiatives, such as the rate increase for the 1Malaysia
and People’s Aid (BR1M) and stamp duty exemption on instruments of transfer and loan agreement for first-home ownership, would help the people cope with the current cost of living.
“Another important point is to develop entrepreneurship, as business activities can help develop an economy,” he said.
He said government aid, when received by those who really needed it, would help to generate the economy and improve the people’s livelihoods.
On the Johor Future Home programme, Khaled said it encouraged volunteerism, where about 5,600 volunteers would help to repair about 300 houses belonging to the poor, single mothers, the elderly and people with disabilities in the state.
The programme would focus on repair of houses occupied by those with income of less than RM1,000 a month, he added.
A total of 60 youths from youth associations and the Pasir Gudang institutes of higher learning was at the event to help the kampung folk repaint and re-wire their houses.
“The state government would like to congratulate the Federal Government in tabling the budget. We believe Johor’s needs were taken into consideration, such as the focus on talent development and skills hub.”
Khaled said he would not be able to comment on Najib’s announcement on the grants totalling RM156 million, and allocation of RM590 million to solve water issues.
“Normally, we have to wait a week or two after the announcement to be told which sectors will get the allocations,” Khaled said.