KUANTAN: The Pahang government has targeted a revenue collection of RM1.137 billion next year after successfully surpassing the RM1 billion mark since 2021.
Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said till Dec 3, the Pahang government has collected RM1.16 billion surpassing the target of RM1.08 billion set when tabling Budget 2023 last year.
"The is a remarkable achievement as the Pahang government has continued to collect more than RM1 billion in revenues for two consecutive years. This puts Pahang to be equal with other developed states like Selangor and Johor.
"Till 28 November this year, Pahang registered a total investment of RM16.4 billion consisting RM4.7billion domestic and RM11.6 billion foreign investments. The figures is clear proof to display investors confidence towards the potential and stability across the Pahang," he said when tabling Pahang Budget 2024 themed "Pahang Concerned, People Prosper" at Wisma Sri Pahang here today.
In 2019, Pahang recorded revenue collection of RM847 million, RM850 million in 2020 and RM866 million in 2021. Pahang's collection exceeded RM1 billion last year.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the Pahang government will continue to tackle leakages to boost contributions to the state coffers and achieve its target next year.
"We will continue to look into the leakages and monitor federal level agencies who are involved in plantation schemes in Pahang. Besides forestry, we will look into other sources of income including renewable energy.
"Do not forget state government-linked companies (GLCs) which has been recording profit and contributing to the state government and among them is PMC(Pahang Mining Corporation)," he said.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the state government has successfully reduced its debt from RM1.03 billion last year to approximately RM983.49 million in November this year.
"If the debts can be further reduced with the commitment and cooperation from all quarters, then the Pahang government will remain consistent in efforts to lower the debts," he said.