Government must ensure well-being of citizens

I REFER to the report “Budget cuts for all ministries” (The Star, May 30), which highlighted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that all ministries will face budget cuts under Budget 2027 as the government seeks to strengthen fiscal discipline amid global economic uncertainties.

This strict fiscal discipline aims to curb waste and trim non-essential expenditures. However, while trimming bloated administrative costs such as lavish overseas ministerial travel is a commendable step towards structural reform, these austerity measures must never come at the expense of public health, food security for the poor and public safety.