SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan State Assembly has approved its 2025 Budget themed "Bersama Membina Negeri Madani" and five other Bills.
The approved Supply Bill 2025 involves a balanced budget with an estimated revenue of RM590mil and an estimated operating expenditure of RM590mil to continue the state's sustainability and development agenda. The budget was debated for four days, starting on Nov 25.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the budget focuses on nine main sectors, encompassing 66 initiatives aimed at balancing the cost of living and strengthening the economy to ensure resilience.
The assembly also passed amendments to the Administration Members and State Legislative Assembly Members (Remuneration) Enactment 1980, the Negri Sembilan State Constitution 1959, the Islamic Religious Administration (Negri Sembilan) Enactment 2003 and the Islamic Family Law Enactment (Negri Sembilan) 2003, as well as the Syariah Court (Negri Sembilan) Bill 2024.
When tabling the bill to amend the Administration Members and State Legislative Assembly Members (Remuneration) Enactment 1980, Aminuddin said it is aimed at adjusting state assemblymen's current salary, which is the lowest compared to representatives in other states.
During the debate on the Supply Bill, Hanifah Abu Baker (PN-Labu) requested that the state government reconsider the matter, taking into account the rising cost of living for the people in the state.
Aminuddin explained that the study on the remuneration system had been discussed and carefully considered, ensuring that the welfare of the people was not overlooked.
"That request has been raised before, even before the state assembly was dissolved. We did a study, but at that time it wasn't suitable to be implemented, considering the economic recovery after Covid-19. Only after 10 years (of the state government's tenure) did we feel confident enough to approve it in this budget.
"We have shown excellent performance. Some states have large deficits but they can manage, and we (Negri) in this balanced budget have an additional RM70mil for next year, which is why we are confident to do this," he said on Thursday (Nov 28).
Regarding the amendment to the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution, Aminuddin said the state government's executive council meeting on Aug 7 agreed to the proposal for the creation of a new position, the Senior State Executive Council Member, through this amendment.
The state assembly sitting was adjourned sine die. – Bernama
