KUALA LUMPUR: Operating expenditure adjustments being implemented by the government will not affect frontline personnel or the delivery of basic services to the public as only non-critical expenditures are involved, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
The Finance Minister II stressed that critical sectors including healthcare, education and security will remain the government's priority, in line with its commitment to ensure the people's well-being.
"Ministries such as Health and Education, especially those involving the frontlines of service delivery, will continue to receive full support as approved.
"This includes ensuring that hospitals, schools and other essential services operate without disruption," he said on Thursday (April 30).
Amir Hamzah said the government must ensure every ringgit is spent in a more focused manner.
"The adjustments will allow us to channel resources to more pressing needs, especially to assist the most affected groups and sectors," he said.
He added this approach is important to ensure the government has sufficient financial capacity to act if the current crisis persists over a long period.
"The present global uncertainty is not temporary. Therefore, we must be prepared with realistic and sustainable measures so that the government remains capable of providing support when needed," he explained.
He emphasised that the operating expenditure adjustments being implemented, which involve only non-critical expenditures, are part of a disciplined effort to ensure the country remains resilient in facing increasingly challenging global economic pressures.
"What is being reviewed are expenditures that can be postponed without affecting service delivery to the public. Basic services will continue as usual," the minister said.
Meanwhile, Amir Hamzah said the Finance Ministry has outlined several adjustment measures to improve public spending efficiency, including postponing non-urgent events, limiting official overseas travel, controlling utilities usage, optimising agency expenditures and deferring the filling of non-critical positions.
He said the ministry would continue to implement proactive and systematic measures to strengthen national financial management while ensuring a balance between current needs and long-term stability.
"Our approach is clear – stabilise supplies, protect the affected groups, ensure the economy continues to move along and safeguard the country's financial position so it remains strong in the long term," he added.
On Wednesday (April 29) the Finance Ministry issued guidelines to ministries and agencies to reprioritise operating expenditures in line with the global supply crisis and rising subsidy burdens. – Bernama
