Budget 2020 neglects Kelantan, Terengganu - Ismail Sabri
PARLIAMENT | PAS-ruled Kelantan and Terengganu will be neglected under that Budget 2020 that was tabled by the Pakatan Harapan-led government last Friday, said opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the federal government should provide allocations for the development outlined in the mid-term review of 11th Malaysian Plan, which calls for the continuation of high-impact projects.
PARLIAMENT | PAS-ruled Kelantan and Terengganu will be neglected under that Budget 2020 that was tabled by the Pakatan Harapan-led government last Friday, said opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the federal government should provide allocations for the development outlined in the mid-term review of 11th Malaysian Plan, which calls for the continuation of high-impact projects.
The 11th Malaysian Plan stresses the importance of closing the developmental gap between state by focusing on less-developed states such as Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis.
Ismail noted that Budget 2020 provides large allocations for the development of Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis, but no such allocations are forthcoming for projects in Terengganu and Kelantan.
"Where is the allocation for such high impact projects for Kelantan and Terengganu that was stressed by Harapan in the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysian Plan?" he asked during debates on Budget 2020 at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) interjected and pointed out the two states would only receive two new schools — one in Tumpat, Kelantan and one in Marang, Terengganu.
Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) said she regretted that both states not receiving as much allocation as other states.
"Kelantan is being humiliated as the poorest state and now we are not receiving as much allocation compared to the other states.
"Many projects were postponed, including the flood mitigation program, and now we are facing rainy season," she said.
Following this, Ismail Sabri asked: "I want to ask the finance minister (Lim Guan Eng) if this is the punishment for the people of Kelantan and Terengganu because they voted for PAS (in 2018 general election)?"
"Is that why these states were neglected?" asked the Bera MP.
"Since the Budget 2020 discriminates against the two states, I demand that this is the time for the government to allocate 20 percent oil royalty for them," he said.
He added that not enough is being done to help poor people who reside in rural areas, in contrast to the business community and foreign investors who will receive tax exemptions and government assistance.
Ismail Sabri, thus, described Budget 2020 as a "capitalist budget" that will neglect the rural communities and the poor, who are in need of more attention from the government.
He said the budget prioritises the investors and wealthy lobbyists and is beneficial for them.
The government had tabled a RM297billion budget last Friday, aimed at attracting more investments to push the country into the next frontier of growth, while being prudent with the nation’s coffer and ensuring wealth is well distributed in the spirit of shared prosperity.
Under Budget 2020, a total of RM1 billion customised incentives will be provided to Fortune 500 companies and global unicorns in the digital sector that invests RM5 billion each.
The companies in the electrical and electronics sectors will be given tax exemption for up to ten years.
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