SHAH ALAM, Nov 3 -- The Selangor State Government hopes that the aerospace sector, broadband infrastructure and construction of a new hospital will be among the focus of Budget 2021 scheduled to be tabled this Friday.

Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the aerospace sector in the state was now facing a very bitter challenge and the Selangor government needed the support of the Federal government to ensure the continuity of the industry.

"Currently, only about 10,000 aircraft are flying around the world compared to about 25,000 before the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shows that almost 60 per cent of the sector is facing big problems.

"European countries and the United States are also strengthening the sector to ensure its survival as demand for the industry will definitely increase after the COVID-19 pandemic," he told reporters at the lobby of the State Legislative Assembly, here, today.

In addition, Amirudin said the development of broadband infrastructure in Selangor too should be given consideration in the presentation of the budget, as at present, broadband access in the state is about 60 to 70 per cent.

He said the last meeting of the Selangor State Development Committee previously targeted the broadband infrastructure would be completed by 2022, but if it could be completed earlier, all projects related to the aspiration of becoming a smart state could be implemented.

“The state government also hopes that public facilities such as a new hospital can be built in high-density locations in Selangor. Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, for example, is facing critical patient congestion.

"What's more, at this time, the Sungai Buloh Hospital has been turned into a COVID-19 hospital resulting in other patients being sent to nearby hospitals. Because of this, Selangor fervently needs a hospital, with high expertise, capable of accommodating a high number of patients, ”he said.

Therefore, he said, the state government hoped that the proposed construction of a new hospital could be included in Budget 2021 as a 20-hectare plot of land in Meru, Klang had been provided for the purpose.

At the same time, said Amirudin, the state government also hoped for the openness of the Federal government in channelling more funds to Selangor in the budget to be utilised in the best possible manner since 24.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product at the national level was contributed by the state.

-- BERNAMA