N.SEMBILAN ASSEMBLY PASSES RM640 MILLION BUDGET FOR 2026

SEREMBAN, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Negeri Sembilan State Assembly today approved the 2026 State Budget, themed ‘Belanjawan MADANI Rakyat Harmoni’, amounting to RM640 million, which includes RM150 million allocated for development expenditure.

The approved 2026 Supply Bill records a deficit of RM30 million, based on the state’s estimated revenue of RM610 million.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, said that this year’s budget focuses on nine priority areas, encompassing 69 initiatives, aimed at striking a balance between meeting the people’s living needs and strengthening the state’s economic resilience.

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During the winding-up session, in response to issues on development expenditure for Vote P50, raised by Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (BN-Rantau), Aminuddin explained that RM45 million would be channelled towards the welfare and well-being of the people. Of this amount, RM15 million is allocated for state government aspiration initiatives, while the remaining RM30 million is to be distributed to 36 state constituency service centres (RM23.69 million) and several other related purposes.

He said that the estimated expenditure under Vote P50 for the well-being of the people, as outlined in the proposed 2026 Budget, amounted to RM56 million. The increase in allocation from RM45 million in 2025 to RM56 million in 2026 is specifically intended to strengthen welfare-related initiatives, particularly those under the budget initiatives and Unity Aspiration (Skim Sejahtera Rakyat).

“We are also grateful that, as of today, our reserves stand at RM897 million - nearly RM900 million. Therefore, allocating RM30 million or even RM50 million for the coming year poses no issue. Despite the deficit, the state government has sufficient savings to continue spending for the benefit of the people,” he said.

The Sikamat assemblyman also clarified that the recent appointment of Dr Jufitri Joha (PKR) and Datuk Wu Him Ven (DAP) as senators was not decided privately at the state level. Instead, the appointments were made following thorough discussions, and with the agreement of Pakatan Harapan chairman, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Barisan Nasional chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“This culture of deliberation forms the foundation of a unity government, ensuring that every decision is carried out with fairness and a strong sense of responsibility,” he said.

Meanwhile, state Education and Human Capital Committee chairman, Datuk Ismail Lasim, responding to Choo Ken Hwa’s (PH-Lukut) debate on the issue of a teacher reportedly being absent for nearly 40 minutes during class, said that the matter was serious, but his office had yet to receive accurate and detailed information regarding the school involved.

Ismail (BN-Senaling) stressed that if such an incident occurred at any school within the constituency, a comprehensive report must be submitted immediately, to enable prompt action to be taken.

“If this is true, it should be reported directly to the department without waiting for the assembly session. This issue cannot be compromised, as every student has the right to receive lessons at the scheduled time.

“The state education department and all district education offices are also implementing corrective measures by conducting meetings and workshops outside school hours,” he said.

In the meantime, state Local Government Development, Housing and Transport Committee chairman, J. Arul Kumar, outlined the amount of assessment tax collected by all local authorities (PBTs) in the state, for the period from January to Nov 30.

Arul (PH-Nilai) said the Seremban City Council (MBS) recorded assessment tax collections amounting to RM155 million, followed by the Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) with RM31 million. The Jempol Municipal Council (MPJL) collected RM6.3 million; Tampin District Council (MDT) RM6 million; Kuala Pilah District Council (MDKP) RM6.6 million; Rembau District Council (MDR) RM3.1 million; and Jelebu District Council (MDJ) RM2.6 million.

“Almost all of this revenue is channelled towards operating expenses. Each local authority also receives allocations from various sources, including the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS), the state government and federal ministries, to implement infrastructure and maintenance projects, according to their respective needs,” he said.

He said that the allocation for infrastructure and maintenance projects amounted to RM247 million for the MBS; MPPD (RM39.2 million); MPJL (RM32.9 million); MDT (RM18 million); MDKP (RM9.3 million); MDR (RM21.7 million); and MDJ (RM15 million).

The state assembly sitting was adjourned sine die.

-- BERNAMA