Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad posing for a photo with the Perak Budget Book 2025.

IPOH, 29 November 2024 - The Perak Government today tabled its Budget 2025 totalling RM1.52 billion, the highest in history, focussing specially on developing and prospering the state, and the wellbeing of the people.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said the 2025 Budget continues the Perak Sejahtera Plan 2030, allocating RM981.80 million for operating expenditure and RM538 million for development expenditure.

"Expenditure for operating purposes consists of emoluments of RM472.73 million, services and supplies of RM350.10 million, asset purchases of RM16.35 million, grants and fixed scheduled payments of RM136.42 million and other expenses of RM6.20 million.

"This has taken into account the salary increase for civil servants under the State Government administration who opted for the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) and pension adjustment for State Assemblymen.

"The development expenditure of RM538 million is the highest amount ever allocated by the State Government. The increase is to enable the state's economic growth to remain competitive and development to continue to be implemented in line with the Perak Sejahtera Plan 2030.

"The Social Welfare Department that implements the people's wellbeing programme has been allocated RM45.94 million for management purposes, an increase of RM3.14 million compared to this year.

"Understanding the cost of living constraints that are increasingly squeezing the lives of the poor, I am pleased to announce that the general assistance rate, which has already been increased by RM100 in 2024, will be increased by another RM100 next year, bringing the assistance to 6,100 recipients to RM500 per month effective January 2025.

"When I go to the ground to meet the people, one fact that tugs the emotions is that there are still families struggling to have a place called 'home'. In reality, a home is not just a shelter, but the foundation of a family's wellbeing.

So, here is the good news for the 310 residents of Taman Bersatu Kampung Boyan Flats in Larut, Matang and Selama district regarding the issue of house ownership which has persisted for 30 years. The State Government has allocated RM1 million to the Perak Housing and Property Board to resolve the issue of strata ownership of these flats.

"As a supporting initiative, another interest-free home improvement loan scheme will be implemented next year, specifically to help low-income families. This initiative will be implemented by Yayasan Bina Upaya Darul Ridzuan through a revolving fund of RM3 million entrusted by the State Government," he said.

In the effort to develop and prosper the state, he said the State Government would continue to take care of every individual regardless of religious background.

The Perak Islamic Religious Department has been given a total allocation of RM111.9 million, and RM12 million has been allocated for the purpose of Non-Islamic Affairs for 2025.

"RM6 million is for the Chinese Community Affairs and Chinese New Villages, while another RM6 million is for the Indian Community Affairs and Indian Villages and other races.

"In addition, to foster the spirit of unity among the multiracial people, the State Government has allocated RM200,000 for the implementation of various National Integration Programmes," he said.

He added that the 2025 Budget is guided by the five elements of Perak's new vision, inspired by HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah’s book, Globalisation: Perak's Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration.

"The five elements suggested by His Royal Highness are ensuring efficient and transparent institutions, rebuilding human capital and enhancing employability, investing in global gateways, leveraging Perak's remarkable natural and historical assets, and expanding authority in revenue collection and decision-making.”

He said this when tabling the Perak Budget 2025 at the Third Meeting of the Second Year of the 15th Perak State Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.