Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman said the number of births recorded statewide was only between 19,000 to 20,000 a year at present.

He said the government would present RM100 for every first birth, RM200 for every second to seventh birth and RM500 for every birth exceeding seven.

The money would be channeled through the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN-i).

“With more births we can resolve the problem of teachers being unable to return to Terengganu on transfer which has become a critical issue.

“For instance in Johor, the transfer of teachers is very smooth because its births are rather high, about 60,000 a year,” he said.

He told reporters this when visiting the maternity ward at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital here in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul. State Health director Dr Mohamad Omar was also present.

Meanwhile, 36 babies were delivered in the state today, of whom 18 were boys and 18, girls.

Ahmad Razif added that the lack of births in the state was likely due to married couples feeling it a burden to look after too many children as baby care centres were inadequate.

In this regard, he said, the government would make an effort to enhance the ‘Home Manager’ programme and increase the number of nurseries for the convenience of working parents.