BUDGET FOR PERLIS
were invited to share their views and ideas to shape the state’s 2018 Budget. It meant sharing the platform with representatives from the federal and state agencies, industry players, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.
Their enthusiasm was evident as they took turns to voice their viewpoints directly to Azlan, seated in the middle of the stage, accompanied by state secretary Ahmad Zamri Khairuddin and state financial officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib.
Azlan paid careful attention to the points raised by the speakers and jotted down notes.
The speakers spoke on issues close to their heart and wish list — what should be prioritised by the Barisan Nasional government in crafting the next state budget.
They wanted infrastructure projects for villages and a highspeed Internet connection for the community to keep up with the digital world.
Apart from industrialisation, they urged the state government to develop Kuala Perlis into a tourism destination and restore Gua Kelam as a state tourism attraction.
There was a sense of relief among the participants at the end of the session, having expressed their aspirations to the menteri besar.
Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq, who was present, said it was paramount for the people in Perlis to work together to take advantage of jobs and business opportunities that would be created through key initiatives rolled out by the federal and state governments.
Commending Azlan’s administration for organising the dialogue, Redza said the 2018 Budget would be a turning point for Perlis government in crafting a plan to move in line with largescale projects rolled out by the Federal Government under the 11th Malaysia Plan.