Govt needs extra funds for ministries and EC

A SUPPLEMENTARY Supply (2016) Bill 2017 requesting more than RM3bil for expenses has been tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Bill, tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz, requested a total of RM3,081,413,026 from the Consolidated Fund for additional expenditure on services and expenses.

This is on top of the RM267.2bil tabled in Budget 2016 by the Prime Minister.

According to the Bill, the Government is seeking additional funds for various ministries, such as Foreign Affairs, Transport, Health, Women, Family and Com­munity Development, and Educa­tion, as well as the Election Com­mission.

Among the largest sum sought is for Contribution to Statutory Funds. This amounted to RM2,248,437,560.

Others seeking additional funds are the Education Ministry (RM297.96mil), Transport Ministry (RM215.7mil), Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (RM128mil, Health (RM104.4mil) and Election Commission (RM62.78mil).

Earlier, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said during question time that it would intensify efforts to ensure that Malaysia remains free of forced child labour.

He said the ministry had carried out inspections at 39,480 business premises last year and found no such cases.