Melaka tables budget 2024 amounting to RM564.6mil

Ab Rauf Yusoh said with the Visit Melaka Year 2024 initiative, the state government is optimistic about achieving the target of 8.4 million potential tourists. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has tabled a state government budget amounting to RM564.6 million for next year.

In presenting the supply bill 2024 at the state legislative assembly in Seri Negeri, Melaka, he said the estimated revenue for the state amounted to RM479.6 million, comprising an estimated tax revenue of RM167.4 million, non-tax revenue of RM298.9 million and non-revenue receipts of RM13.3 million, Bernama reported.

Ab Rauf, who is Tanjung Bidara assemblyman, said the development expenditure is estimated to involve an allocation of RM85 million.

“This comprises RM55.6 million from state revenue sources, RM28.4 million from the economic development, infrastructure and welfare development-based (Tahap) grant, and RM1 million from ecological fiscal transfer for biodiversity conservation (EFT) from the federal government,” he was quoted as saying.

He also announced that state civil servants will be given a special financial aid of half a month’s salary, or a minimum of RM2,000, in February next year.

According to Ab Rauf, the state’s 2024 budget, themed “Exploring Heritage, Restoring Glory”, involved three agendas and eight focuses that would be implemented comprehensively and inclusively.

“Agenda 1, which is comprehensive and sustainable economic development, has five focuses.

“They are, making Melaka an investor-friendly state; developing Melaka as a centre of excellence for technical and vocational education and training (TVET); strengthening the tourism sector through the Visit Melaka Year 2024 programme; accelerating 4G and 5G digitalisation; and promoting the arts, heritage and culture of the state,” he said, according to Bernama.

The second agenda, social equality for the well-being of the people, has one focus, which is to empower all initiatives under the state government, he added.

Ab Rauf said the third agenda is to improve the efficiency of public service delivery.

He added that under the economic activities diversity initiative, the state government is taking proactive steps to continue supporting various economic sectors that have the potential to stimulate further economic growth in the state.

“This includes the non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) mining industry that will be developed in Melaka, where the state government has approved an exploration application covering an area of 2,250 hectares,” he said.

On the Visit Melaka Year initiative, Ab Rauf said the state government is optimistic about achieving the target of 8.4 million potential tourists to stimulate the state’s economic growth.