Meeting of minds: Tengku Zafrul said Budget 2021 focused more on job creation and economic stimulation, which explained the allocation for development. — Photo courtesy of Tengku Zafrul’s Facebook page
PETALING JAYA: Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is confident that Budget 2021 will be supported by the Dewan Rakyat during debate at the committee stage.
“I am confident that Budget 2021 will get the green light from the MPs from both the government and the Opposition as it is designed for the rakyat during this challenging time, ” he said during a one-hour interview with Bernama yesterday.
Tengku Zafrul also refuted Opposition Leader Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim’s claims that their demands were not met.
“As a responsible government who puts the rakyat’s needs first, we have listened to critics and demands from both the government and the Opposition, ” he said, adding that the ministry had improved Budget 2021 according to suggestions from political parties and the rakyat.
The ministry, said Tengku Zafrul, had worked together with Bank Negara and local banks to provide financial assistance to all Malaysians regardless of their economic status.
“Targeted repayment assistance can now be more tailored according to the rakyat’s financial situation, with a focus on the B40 and M40 groups.
“They can continue to apply for moratorium’s extension or even start repaying once they can afford to, ” said Tengku Zafrul.
Clarifying that Budget 2021 was for everyone and not only focused on the B40 group, he said the government was committed to helping the M40 group through providing more job opportunities, offering up to 40% incentives for companies recruiting employees who lost their jobs through Jana Kerjaya as well as job retention programmes.
Budget 2021, he said, focused more on job creation and economic stimulation, which explained the allocation for development.
“We need to balance our current situation as well as the future of our economy.
“The plans must be short-, medium- and long-term to build national economic resilience, ” he said.
On the allocation for the Special Affairs Department – previously Jasa, now known as J-Com – Tengku Zafrul said it was committed to reducing the amount, which would be disclosed in the coming debate.
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