THE government still has balance of funds from Budget 2023 involving development expenditure (DE) as well as operating expenditure (OE) which should be put to use until the end of the year.
Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the remaining allocation channelled through the budget involved 18% for development and 8% for operating, totalling RM388.1 billion.
He said as of Thursday, 26 ministries have used up 82% of their allocations for development expenditure and 92% for operating expenditure.
“As such, the ministries need to finish 100% the balance of Budget 2023 before December 31.
“For Budget 2024, the total is RM393.8 billion with RM303.8 billion for OE, while the remaining RM90 billion is for DE,” he told reporters after officiating the Heart Health Awareness Programme at Dewan Muafakat, Benut, Pontian, today.
Ahmad, who is also Pontian MP, said that based on the 2022 Auditor-General’s Report, all 26 ministries need to take note of 2023 expenditure under the unity government so that funds do not go missing.
“The Finance Ministry regrets that RM687.71 million was reported missing. MOF had a hard time finding money, but if it is leaked or lost, it is to the detriment of the people,” he said.
On Wednesday, Auditor-General Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi said the loss of money was related to the exemption of fines imposed on late supply and fertiliser, channeling of padi subsidy and intensive planting aid, as well as failure to collect land lease revenue and replacement of firearms disposed. – Bernama, November 25, 2023.
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