SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government hopes its application for a RM20mil allocation for food security programmes from the federal authorities will be approved, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said the allocation will supplement the budget his administration hopes to set aside for the initiative as food security had to be given priority.
"If we get the RM20mil allocation we had applied for, it will surely have a positive impact on the state's food security initiatives.
"We plan to develop tracts of idle land, assist those involved in the aquaculture and livestock farming business as well as fishermen to ensure better food security in the state," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri.
When tabling Budget 2024 last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that RM150mil has been set aside to help state governments optimise land use.
Among the initiatives that will be taken by the state government to boost food security was to open more areas to grow padi.
A 20ha area in Kg Londah in Gemas near here had also been identified for the purpose.
On a separate matter, Aminuddin said his administration has yet to decide if the five Perikatan Nasional assemblymen in the state will also receive annual allocations like those in the state unity government.
"I will have to consult others in the unity government before we can decide this.
"We will also have to look at our finances and then get the state exco to make a final decision," he said.
Aminuddin said when he was an Opposition assemblyman for two terms, he did not enjoy any such benefit.
"Now, it is being made to look as if it is our responsibility (to give annual allocations to Opposition assemblymen)," he said, adding that a decision would however be made in due course.
Before the Aug 12 state election, only the 20 Pakatan Harapan assemblymen were given the RM400,000 annual allocation.
Allocations for the remaining 16 constituencies which Pakatan lost were channeled through their appointed coordinators.
In the state election, the Pakatan-Barisan Nasional partnership bagged 31 seats while five went to Perikatan.
