AS of June this year, the state revenue collection has still been below 50%, the Kedah Legislative Assembly sitting was told today.

Describing the performance as worrying, Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir said Kedah only managed to collect RM286.7 million, or 36.79%, of the total revenue in regard to the targeted RM799.5 million projection as stated in the 2018 Budget.

“We will find ways to increase the state’s income,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (BN-Guar Chempedak), who asked about the current state revenue collection.

He said as of April, the state had only RM41.8 million in cash, as well as RM122.3 million in fixed deposits.

Mukhriz said the state government would also carry out negotiations with the federal government on the wiping off of Kedah’s debt.

Meanwhile, state Public Works, Water Supply, Water Resources and Energy Committee chairman Zamri Yusuf had assured that the cost of upgrading and construction for five water treatment plants in the state amounting to almost RM1 billion would not increase the state’s debt.

Replying to a supplementary question from Sanusi Md Nor (PAS-Jeneri), he said the state government would also seek the federal government’s assistance to finance the project. 

The five projects involve the Pelubang Water Treatment Plant, Bukit Selambau Water Treatment Plant, Sungai Limau Water Treatment Plant, Buntar Lama Water Treatment Plant and Jenun Baharu Water Treatment Plant.

In another development, state Women’s Development, Community Welfare and Poverty Eradication Committee chairman Halimaton Shaadiah Saad, in response to a question from Siti Ashah Ghazali (PAS-Merbau Pulas), said RM500,000 had been allocated for the setting up of a special women’s fund.

She said the fund, which would be managed by the state government’s management body, was already in the final stage and would be launched soon.

Sungai Tiang assemblyman Suraya Yaacob, meanwhile, urged the state government to find the best way to ensure only qualified caregivers would be allowed to provide daycare services for children.

Suraya, in debating the motion of thanks of the Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah’s royal address, said currently, caregivers were only required to attend the Permata Early Childhood Care and Education course, which was deemed inadequate. – Bernama, August 14, 2018.