Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad during the Perak State Level Budget 2023 Dialogue Council.

IPOH, 9 February 2023 - The problems of Federal road maintenance and welfare of the Orang Asli must be given focus in Budget 2023 that will be tabled on 24 February.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said this during the Perak State Level Budget 2023 Dialogue Council at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.

He said the allocation for state and village roads was sufficient, each channeled through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS)and Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

"Federal roads are less maintained and is among the main issues raised by those who asked, including state EXCOs. We hope the Public Works Ministry will focus on this matter.

"There is still time to give the allocations requested, e.g., for the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley and Jalan Tapah-Ringlet, which are given less focus," he said.

He added that the welfare of the Orang Asli community was also among the issues raised during the dialogue session, including methods to increase housing assistance for the group.

Also present were Finance Ministry Taxation Division Head Ezleezan Othman and 59 State Assemblymen.

The event was also attended by 300 people comprising department heads, private companies, NGO organisations and local community leaders.

Perak was the final location of the Budget 2023 Dialogue Council tour after Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Johor.

Earlier, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan also paid courtesy calls to Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad, State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin and State Financial Officer Mohd Zaki Mahyudin.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.