Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali tabled the state budget of RM3.45 billion on a forecasted revenue of RM2.55 billion leading to a deficit of RM900 million. Last year the Selangor government allocated RM2.88 billion for its 2016 Budget on an expected revenue of RM2.244 billion.

Today, we ask if this is an election budget with its increased allowances to Ketua Kampung, doubling on free bus services, increased allocations to vernacular schools, and an additional bonus for civil servants. Critics have also pointed to the strategy of running a deficit while maintaining high reserves. In August, Azmin noted that the government is looking at diversifying its revenue source and we ask what concrete measure is the state government taking to achieve this? And if too much emphasis has been placed on redistribution and not on aiding business generate growth.

This report is by Sharaad Kuttan.