SHAH ALAM, Nov 19 — The state government plans to tap into its Natural Disaster Trust Fund (Taba) for the first time next year, with some of the allocation to be used to enhance infrastructure in slope- and landslide-prone areas.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this differs from the State Disaster Trust Fund (DTF), which is typically used for disaster response efforts, including providing shelters, food, and medical assistance to victims.
He said that Taba funds have not been utilised previously because, unlike the DTF — which only requires approval from certain state officeholders — the State Legislative Assembly must first approve withdrawals from Taba.
"Disasters do not wait for the assembly to convene," Amirudin said during the Assembly session today, in response to a question from Kuang state assemblyman Mohd Rafiq Mohd Abdullah.
"Additionally, Taba is meant for development funds. Money approved in this House must be channelled into the Consolidated Fund or the state budget and used for development projects.
"InsyaAllah (God willing), next year, we will utilise Taba, which has been untouched. Why? Because several infrastructure management matters can be funded, including slope areas or landslide-prone locations,” he said.
Amirudin added that the funds may also be used to improve district-level disaster preparedness, including through the procurement of assets.
Taba, established in 2011, currently holds RM90 million, while the DTF, which receives annual allocations from both the Federal and state governments, has RM25 million.
He said the state government plans to amend the relevant enactment in the next couple of assembly sittings to make it easier to withdraw funds from Taba.
However, it will also make it mandatory for any fund utilisation to be reported to the Assembly for transparency and accountability.
For now, the state government intends to utilise only up to RM10 million from the RM90 million available in the fund.
“We do intend to use the fund, but not a large amount at first, maybe only RM5 to RM10 million. We will monitor how it is utilised. I will later consult with the state executive councillors for infrastructure, disaster management, and environment on the priority areas," Amirudin said.
Responding to a supplementary question, the Menteri Besar acknowledged that Taba funds had been placed in investments, as part of Selangor’s post-2008 reform policy to explore short- and medium-term investment opportunities through its investment unit.
He said the initiative, which also involves other state trust funds, ensures returns higher than the 4.0 to 5.0 per cent typically offered by fixed deposits.
