Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam today tabled a surplus budget for 2013 - the state’s ninth consecutive surplus budget since 2005.

He told the state assembly in Malacca that RM249.9 million was expected in revenue next year while RM249.8 million was provided for management expenditure.

“The surplus of RM112,264 shows the government continues to strengthen the state’s finance by boosting revenue and spending prudently,” he said, adding that RM94.3 million was set aside for infrastructure, agriculture, social, industry and community development.

Earlier, Mohd Ali said the 2013 budget for the state would focus on three main strategies - prioritising peoples welfare, spurring Malacca towards green technology and boosting tourism.

He said RM14 million would be provided for poor families, handicapped, elderly and single mothers and RM18.9 million for education while another RM1.3 million would be set aside for examination papers and takaful insurance for kindergartens and schools under the Malacca Islamic Religious Department and RM1 million for hostel tuition aid, school hostels and government-aided religious schools.

Mohd Ali said RM400.7 million in investments were approved between January and May this year.

- Bernama