ISKANDAR PUTERI: The tabling of Budget 2023 remains on schedule for Oct 28, says Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah.
"It was announced that Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 28 as stated in the Dewan Rakyat's takwim (calendar).
"I have not received any information of a change to the date yet," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) and Futurerise Sdn Bhd at Common Ground Iskandar Space here on Thursday (Aug 25).
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Mohd Shahar was responding to questions if the Budget would be tabled earlier following a renewed push for the 15th General Election (GE15) to be called soon.
On a separate matter, Mohd Shahar reiterated that banking institutions would be held accountable if it was found that their own carelessness led to customers losing their savings due to security weaknesses.
"Bank Negara is continuously monitoring the situation and those who feel they have been victimised could make a police report or report it to their respective banks.
"We will also get the banking institutions involved to look into such matters and (if it is found they were careless) they will be held accountable," he said to questions of whether or not Bank Negara would take action in such situations.
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In a statement in June, the central bank had said it would take action against banks for failing to protect consumer privacy, especially in relation to scam cases.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations had reportedly urged banks to pay compensation to customers who lost their savings due to security breaches on the banks' part.
It also urged Bank Negara to set up a special team to investigate the banks involved.
On Thursday's signing, Mohd Shahar said the drone industry in Malaysia has great potential and could eventually contribute about 4.3% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
The MoU is to develop drone sports programmes through the National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence (Aksadron) at the Drone Robotics Zone Iskandar.
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The Deputy Minister said the global drone industry is expected to see growth of 9.4% by 2026 with the possibility of reaching highs of US$43bil (RM192.3bil) in revenue.
"We need to use the next four years to develop local talents so that they can be at par with international drone pilots.
"We must also develop skills and interest in drones among schoolchildren and those from the rural areas, not just industry players," he said.
He added that the government is focusing on preparing a syllabus and curriculum that could improve interest and skills in the drone sector.
"We are more focused on developing the curriculum instead of setting up drone hubs as we see that there is no point for us to have many hubs without much content.
"We need to move at the right pace, not too fast but also not too slow," he said in response to queries on whether or not the government is looking at providing more drone hubs.
