PH has submitted several proposals for Budget 2022 to Finance Ministry, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan has presented its own Budget strategy document summary, aimed as a guide for potential amendments and additions to Budget 2022.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the coalition had submitted several proposals to the Finance Ministry following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government.

"There is a slight difference this time as there was engagement sessions with us.

"I believe most of our suggestions and proposals will be accepted although we do not know the fine details yet," he told a press conference at Parliament on Wednesday (Oct 27).

Budget 2022 will be tabled this Friday (Oct 29).

Also present at the event were Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, Pakatan economic committee member Tony Pua (PH-Damansara), Wong Chen (PH-Subang) and Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor).

Among the proposals, it called for immediate injection of RM45bil into the Covid-19 Fund, to address support recovery of vulnerable sectors and to generate quality jobs.

From the total, RM4bil should be allocated for healthcare, RM30bil for pandemic proofing, RM6bil to assist private sectors to create new jobs and RM5bil for welfare payments to support affected households.

The report also asked the government to strengthen parliament as a bipartisan platform and to create additional Parliamentary Special Select Committees.

It also called for the implementation of a moratorium interest waiver for the bottom 50 (B50) households.

A total of RM2bil should also be allocated for low-interest small business loans via BSN with an easy and flexible application process.

It also suggested that the government provide a long-term hiring wage incentive scheme to lower hiring costs and encourage workforce participation.

Under the rebuild and reform social services category, Pakatan suggested that MySalam's coverage be expanded to include women related diseases, mental health assessment, care and psychosocial support.