Govt machinery should explain essence of Budget 2024 to the people, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: All government machinery needs to explain to the people the essence of Budget 2024, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the people should be made to understand the reason for the focus on health and education given by the government in the 2024 Budget.

"The explanation is important, it has to be clarified to the people," Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said at the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly here Tuesday (Oct 17).

Anwar tabled the Malaysia Madani Budget 2024, themed "Economic Reform, Empowering the People", amounting to RM393.8bil, the highest in the history of the country's budget so far on Friday (Oct 13).

The Education Ministry received the highest allocation amounting to RM58.7bil, while the Health Ministry was allocated RM41.2bil.

According to the Prime Minister, Budget 2024 is a national budget implemented to give confidence to investors and provide maximum comfort to the people.

"The budget cannot be seen in a 'vacuum' but also to look at the background of economic strength, political stability, our ability to pay off debts and resolve some basic macroeconomic frameworks," he said.

Regarding subsidies, Anwar reiterated that the subsidies are maintained with RM81bil allocated for the purpose.

"RM81bil in subsidy for one year is among the highest... no country gives such a high subsidy... a subsidy is the government's aid to reduce the burden on the people," he added.

Anwar said the government's move to target the distribution of subsidies is to ensure that they are enjoyed only by the deserving ones.

Regarding the electricity subsidy, he said that the subsidy was withdrawn for 10% of the highest electricity users in the country, while 90% of electricity users will continue to enjoy it.

The move is expected to save the government over RM4.6bil, he added. - Bernama