PERAK ASSEMBLY APPROVES RM1.61 BLN BUDGET FOR 2026

IPOH, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Perak State Legislative Assembly today unanimously approved the state’s RM1.61 billion Budget for 2026, the largest in its history. 

The Supply Enactment 2026 Bill and the 2026 Development Fund motion were debated from Wednesday, with 44 of the 59 elected representatives taking part - 18 from the government bloc and 26 from the opposition.

The Perak Budget 2026, tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad on Nov 25, continues the theme ‘Perak Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera’ and centres on five key priorities: the people’s well-being, governance of state-interest projects, human capital and youth development, environmental sustainability and food security.

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Meanwhile, in his winding-up speech, Saarani said the state government, through the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk), is studying a proposal to create structured, permanent posts for Islamic kindergarten teachers to ensure better long-term welfare.

“During my engagement session with JAIPk, we discussed the proposal to increase the KAFA (Quran and Fardhu Ain) teachers’ allowance. We initially intended to address Islamic kindergarten teachers as well, but JAIPk informed us that they are in the process of upgrading the positions.

“Once upgraded, the remuneration will be significantly higher than what we had planned to propose. That is why we are waiting for the completion of the new service scheme,” he said.

Saarani also clarified that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) arrangement is a trade framework between the two countries and not an exclusive partnership.

He said that although ART opens up trade opportunities with the United States, it does not prevent Malaysia from continuing to trade with other international markets.

“In this respect, the Perak government maintains that any trade agreement involving the state’s strategic mineral resources, including rare earth elements (REE), must prioritise public interest and the state’s economic sustainability.

“With regard to the involvement of foreign entities, including the United States, the state government emphasises that such involvement is limited to their role as trade partners and does not grant them direct control over REE production in Perak,” he said.

-- BERNAMA