The opposition has questioned Selangor's balanced budget tabled by Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim yesterday as the state government has always needed additional allocations.

Opposition leader Mohamad Satim Diman (BN-Sri Serdang) said although the Selangor government tabled a balanced budget for 2013 amounting RM1.63 billion, he was skeptical that it could work.

"Based on experience since 2009, the state government budget failed to meet the balanced target as claimed," he said during debate on 2013 Budget in the State Assembly today at Shah Alam.

For the 2009 budget, Selangor required another RM120 million thus increasing budget from RM1.4 billion to RM1.52 billion while the 2011 budget of RM1.43 billion had to be pumped with RM199.98 million increasing the budget to RM1.63 billion.

Satim said despite claims by Khalid who boasts of experience in the corporate world, he failed to efficiently manage the state budget because of poor planning.

He cited Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan land issue, free water, restructuring of water industry, waste management and failure to deliver promises made in 2008 general election manifesto that require about RM2.4 billion in expenditure.

Among them were the RM100 for every newborn amounting RM39.8 million, RM75 monthly aid for every child sent to nursery amounting RM122.2 million, free medical for those above 65 years amounting RM289.9 million and tax rebate by local authorities amounting RM1 million.

Subahan Kamal (BN-Taman Templer) questioned the Selangor government decision to increase land premium for Kampung Bendahara in Selayang to RM9 per square foot.

He said the 2,000 villagers could not afford to pay the high land premium rate because during the BN days, they only paid RM1 per square foot.

Wong Koon Mun (BN-Kuala Kubu Baru) said the Pakatan government's claim that Selangor BN government did not try to take over the debt of Talam Corporation was untrue.

He said the Selangor BN government had agreements with Talam for debt settlement on July 29, 2005 and on March 8, 2007 but the menteri besar cancelled them on July 14, 2009.

- Bernama