He made the announcement when tabling the state budget of RM2.56 billion for 2019 at the state assembly sitting yesterday.

The menteri besar said the distribution of the free water would be done in a more targeted manner from next year in line with the restructuring of the state’s free water programme.

“The state government is confident that the B40 group deserves and will appreciate the free water more than others.

“So, we have agreed to increase the amount of free water for them from 20 cubic metres a month to 25 cubic metres a month,” he said.

Amirudin said under Budget 2019 and after the restructuring of the free water programme, the allocation set aside for the purpose was only RM80 million, hence allowing the state government to save RM105.2 million, which would be returned to the people through community development programmes.

The state budget of RM2.56 billion for next year is equally divided between operating and development expenditures, with each receiving an allocation of RM1.28 billion.

“The budget will have a deficit of RM360 million due to the substantive development allocation to meet the need for sustainable development,” the menteri besar said.

Amirudin also announced a bonus of one month’s salary for the state’s civil servants, which will be paid on Dec 20, involving a financial implication of RM34.53 million to the state government.