KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz today confirmed that the allocation for the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) will be slashed.
However, the finance minister did not specify the reduced amount, saying the matter will be explained when Budget 2021 is debated at the committee stage.
He confirmed what Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah announced yesterday.
Apart from the reduction in allocation, Saifuddin also said Jasa will be rebranded as the Community Communications Department, and will not be a propaganda machine.
The Supply Bill 2021 was passed at the policy stage in the House today via a simple voice vote.
“I have made a motion to reduce the allocation to be given to Jasa. We will announce it at the committee stage,” said Tengku Zafrul in his winding-up speech.
He was replying to a question from Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (independent-Jerlun) on how the government intends to fund the Budget following a slew of additional announcements.
“It seems like there is an increase in Budget 2021. Does this mean the allocation will be amended, or will there be a reduction from other ministries?” said Mukhriz.
Yesterday, Saifuddin said the reduced amount for Jasa is still being discussed.
In his winding-up speech, Tengku Zafrul announced “extra goodies” that were not part of the original RM322.5 billion Budget.
Among them are a one-off RM300 payment to all non-health frontliners, including police and soldiers. Previously, only health frontliners got a RM500 incentive.
Tengku Zafrul said the Finance Ministry will allocate an additional RM50 million to Sabah to fight Covid-19, RM40 million as a one-off payment to 80,000 retired and former police personnel, and RM80 million to the Agriculture Disaster Fund. – The Vibes, November 26, 2020
