PAHANG has attracted RM20.5 billion in investment up to July 31, exceeding the target of RM18 billion set for the whole of this year, according to Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He said RM11 billion came from foreign investment, attributing this to the state’s political stability and infrastructure development.

He is also optimistic that the revenue collection of RM1 billion this year can be achieved based on the RM841 million collected up to July 27.

“This revenue collection has never burdened the people. Instead, the state government has managed to increase the collection from the actions taken by raising administrative efficiency, reducing leakage and implementing new initiatives.

“The revenue excess is returned to the people in various forms, such as welfare aid, and educational and development programmes for every level of society regardless of their background and political ideology,” he said in his adjournment speech at the Pahang assembly, Wisma Sri Pahang, Kuantan, today.

On the state government’s debt with the federal government, he said the balance was RM908 million to date, after the RM1.307 billion written off as agreed upon and RM1.115 billion going to Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad.

He said the state’s strong financial position was the result of close co-operation between state government and agencies. – Bernama, August 2, 2022.