KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 -- Among the key targets of expenditure for the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry (KATS) under Budget 2020 is to ensure the delivery of clean water to residents in rural and interior areas, said its Minister, Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

“For the purpose, more than RM580 million will be allocated to provide access to clean water to the people especially to residents in Felda, as well as remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in a statement here today.

He said the allocation of RM4.8 billion to KATS under Budget 2020 is for sustainable management of the country’s natural resources as well as improving delivery service to the people.

“In the efforts to overcome floods, RM443.9 million has been allocated for Flood Mitigation Plans while RM150 million is provided for the maintenance of Flood Retention Ponds,” he said.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng tabled Budget 2020 themed “Driving Growth and Equitable Outcomes towards Shared Prosperity” is based on four main thrusts to restabilise the financial position of the government.

Commenting further, Xavier said RM48 million has been allocated for the conservation of natural forest and biodiversity of Malaysia, with RM10 million especially for private sector through matching grants to support the Central Forest Spine (CFS) and Heart of Borneo (HoB) apart from preserving the depleting forest.

"For protecting endangered animals, the government is providing RM15 million to several related bodies including non-governmental organisations (NGO) to support protection efforts. Apart from that, RM20 million was provided to appoint rangers from among retired soldiers and members of the Orang Asli community to protect the flora and fauna,” he said.

Among them, RM10 million is allocated as matching funds with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) between the government and the United Nations to fund SDG initiatives in Malaysia as well as RM5 million for the Special Selection Committee and activities relating to SDG at the grassroots.

The allocation for the ministry which covers RM1.3 billion for management and RM3.5 billion for development, was increased by 19.4 per cent compared to the previous budget.

Meanwhile in a separate statement, Wisma Putra said the allocation of RM817 million to the Foreign Ministry will be utilised for activities based on the ministry's strategic thrust to upgrade facilities and infrastructure as well as welfare and qualification of its officers.

“The additional allocation for Foreign Assignment is important to ensure more active involvement of ministry officers in protecting the interests and stand of Malaysia in the international arena.

Apart from that, the main focus is to ensure the effectiveness of delivery via upgrading infrastructure and acquisition of assets including ICT equipment and gadgets, maintenance and improvement of chancellery buildings and government-owned quarters overseas,” said Wisma Putra.

According to the statement Wisma Putra is proposing to use the allocation for the welfare of civil servants and career development of officers through training and courses as well as furthering education to a higher level.

-- BERNAMA