With Budget month now over, experts are combing through the details and comparing with some of the state programs for their cumulative budget. Interestigly, while majority of the states are aligned with the Federal Budget, Selangor which is part of the opposition party has been hailed as a more balanced one than Putrajaya. According to Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi an economist and current chairman of Mavcom, Selangor Budget 2022 allocation for management and development is much better and more balanced than the one presented by the Federal Government. He added, that this is because Putrajaya uses the country's revenue entirely for operating expenses and needs to borrow to implement development, Radhi explained. Selangor on the other hard, has managed to include many of the initiatives the Federal Goverment has ephasied like the drive towards digitalisation, moving the aerospace industry to new height and enforcing social security into all aspects. On the States various people oriented initiatives, Dr Nungsari agreed with the concept of Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (Bingkas) which distributes cash directly to the target group. “The concept of cash or give directly to the people is more efficient than organising a program that eventually the target group gets about RM60 compared to the original value of RM100. "I hope the people of Selangor have a sense of appreciation with this budget allocation which has been implemented in a pandemic situation," he added. Dr Nungsari was quoted when he was interviewed by the State media recently. Menteri Besar Selangor, Dato Seri Amiruddin Shari tabled the state budget, allocating RM2.34 billion with greated emphasis in increasing benefits for the people and at the same time boost the economy. Among the improvements include the Kasih Ibu Smart Selangor (KISS) and KISS Ibu Tunggal programs through Bingkas with a distribution of RM300 a month to eligible families.
