PETALING JAYA: Budget 2023 is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensure that all sections of the society are looked after, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said to ensure the needs of groups were being addressed, the budget specifically addressed issues concerning them.
He pointed out that even the views and suggestions of the M40 groups were looked into.
“Before this, we heard that those in the M40 bracket were not mentioned in the budget. This time they too are included.
“We have crafted benefits for them in the budget,” he told reporters at Parliament after the tabling of Budget 2023 yesterday.
“This is a Keluarga Malaysia budget. We have things for youth, women, persons with disabilities and the business community,” he said.
Among others, RM305mil has been allocated for youth under BSN and Mara to take loans of up to RM50,000 to start businesses, with over 10,000 youth expected to benefit.
For women who return to the workforce after a “career break”, they will be entitled to income tax exemptions for five years from 2023.
Other benefits for women include an allocation of RM11mil for subsidies to undergo breast and cervical cancer screenings through mammograms and pap smears.
The Prime Minister also said that the budget focused on economic recovery initiatives following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The budget also reflects plans to prepare the nation for global economic uncertainty that is expected to happen next year,” Ismail Sabri said.
On Sabah and Sarawak, he said the Budget spelled out the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure continuous development in the two states.
The government has unveiled Budget 2023 amounting to RM372.3bil, which was tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz in Parliament.
