KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition lawmakers have jumped to the defence of the previous federal government’s additional spending of more than RM60 billion over the allocated budget last year, with one lawmaker contending that this is not unusual.
They also noted that the majority of the sum was allocated for subsidies for the people amid soaring inflation.
Debating the Supplementary Supply (2022) Bill 2023, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran-PN) said such expenditures are common in any government to cater to unforeseen expenditures.
He also expects the same to happen for the current administration.
“Although the speaker was stressing that this is about the supplementary budget by the previous government, this is actually a common thing,” he said today.
Kiandee went on to seek clarification from the current government over how this supplementary budget is expected to impact the country’s projected fiscal deficit this year.
Later, Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (Pendang-PN) similarly pointed out that it is common for any government to make supplementary spending, what more, during a health and economic crisis.
The PAS lawmaker noted that about RM53 billion alone was spent on subsidies, necessary in view of the country’s post-pandemic recovery.
“We managed to save the country from falling into recession. All countries in the world were also facing inflation following the Covid-19 pandemic,” he says.
“The then government succeeded to prevent (recession) because of our stimulus packages, which managed to stop layoffs and reduce the number of small and medium enterprises shuttering. There was a need for us to stimulate the economy.”
Earlier, when tabling the Supplementary Supply (2022) Bill 2023, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had said that a total of RM60.17 billion in unforeseen expenditures were spent from the contingencies fund, with a further RM6.35 billion spent on development.
Today’s bill seeks to authorise RM60.17 billion from the consolidated fund for additional expenditure for the year 2022.
Based on the bill, the Finance Ministry is the largest recipient of the funds, with over RM53 billion, followed by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (RM2.06 billion).
Among others to receive funds are the education, health, defence, agriculture and food security, and national unity ministries. – The Vibes, March 30, 2023
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