Melaka prioritises eight main focuses in formulating Budget 2024 - Ab Rauf

MELAKA - Melaka will give priority to eight main focuses when formulating Budget 2024 to ensure everyone benefits from it.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the eight main focuses also aim to catapult the state's level of economic achievement, generate more vibrant growth, create social well-being and ensure all groups in the community, especially the B40 group, are protected.

"Among them is establishing a Centre of Excellence for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) to provide an infrastructure for the workforce needs of industries that will be investing in Melaka.

"We will also empower the tourism sector, in conjunction with the 2024 Visit Melaka Year (TMM2024) that will be launched on Dec 31, and this focus will provide an economic fillip to the state's tourism ecosystem next year,” he told reporters after the Melaka Budget 2024 Town Hall session here today.

At the session, which was also attended by State Secretary Datuk Zaidi Johari, Ab Rauf spent over an hour listening to various issues relating to the people as well as new views, ideas and information to formulate Budget 2024.

He said the budget would also focus on developing Melaka as investor-friendly by simplifying investment procedures and regulations, such as group approvals, so that they can get cracking on development and investment immediately.

In addition, he said the quality of public services will also be enhanced to become more efficient and effective by targeting all issues or problems of the people to be resolved within two weeks.

"We will also ensure that 4G and 5G coverage can be expanded in the state immediately, including to rural areas, besides increasing the performance of the state government subsidiaries, empowering initiatives under the chief minister as well as empowering art, heritage and culture in Melaka,” he said.

The Town Hall session was participated by nearly 100 people, comprising state-level leaders, State Legislative Assembly and Parliament members as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of various sectors. - BERNAMA