Najib Announces Additional Grants For States

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the National Finance Council meeting which discusses matters involving state governments, particularly finance and related issues, today decided for an additional RM10 million contribution for next year under Grants Based on Levels of Economic Development, Infrastructure and Wellbeing.

For 2013, he said, the contribution under Grants Based on Levels of Economic Development, Infrastructure and Wellbeing would be RM288 million in addition to another RM30 million under Grants for States Facing Management Account Deficits.

The meeting, held at the Finance Ministry here, was attended by all menteri besar and chief ministers.

Speaking to reporters later, Najib who is Finance Minister said the meeting took note and was satisfied with the implementation of grants for the maintenance of slopes along state roads totalling RM60 million that was provided starting last year.

"It helps the states to better maintain slopes along state roads so as to ensure safety and comfort of road users," he said.

He said the meeting also took note of the implementation of advance allocations from the federal government totaling RM165 million to fund maintenance and operations works of agriculture drainage systems within and outside padi areas.

It included the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) as well as former Integrated Agricultural Development project sites covering all states including Sabah and Sarawak that was provided starting this year.

"The advances help the states implement maintenance works on agricultural drainage better," he said.