Fiscal deficit projected at 3.7% this year and 3.4% in 2019

AGAINST market expectations of an austerity budget and despite a trillion-ringgit debt, Budget 2019 is one that is expansionary, with the fiscal deficit projected at 3.7% in 2018 and 3.4% in 2019.

The gross development expenditure in 2019 is to be maintained at RM54.7bil, almost similar to the RM54.9bil the government spent in 2018.