KUALA LUMPUR – The bulk of Pakatan Harapan’s preliminary Budget 2022 proposal comprises RM30 billion in grants and subsidies for the economic sector.
The rest of the RM45 billion expenditure agreed on as per the memorandum of understanding on transformation and political stability signed between the opposition coalition and government will be for healthcare and welfare payments.
“Our preliminary Budget proposal includes a breakdown of the RM45 billion agreed expenditure as per the MoU – RM4 billion for the health sector to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, including subsidising self-test kits and implementing rigorous ‘find, test, trace, isolate and support’ measures,” said the PH economic committee in a statement.
“RM30 billion in grants and subsidies for the economic sector; RM6 billion in hiring incentives under the Malaysians@Work programme, which was proposed by PH in Budget 2020; and, at least RM5 billion for households in the form of welfare payments.”
PH has met with the Finance Ministry for initial discussions on Budget 2022.
The meeting on Tuesday was led by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, and attended by eight other pact members.
“This is consequent to the MoU on transformation and political stability signed between PH parties and the government on September 13,” said the statement.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and his deputy, Mohd Shahar Abdullah, attended the meet, which concerned new proposed frameworks for dialogue and consultation between the government and opposition regarding the next national spending plan.
Both sides agreed that there will be three more of such meetings in the future.
At the talks this week, Tengku Zafrul presented an outline of Budget 2022, while PH shared its proposal.
The coalition also requested that RM2 billion be made available via Bank Simpanan Nasional as soft loans of up to RM50,000 for small and medium enterprises badly affected by the pandemic.
“In our preliminary proposal, we also asked for improved social protections via improved i-Suri and i-Saraan contributions, the expansion of the MySalam scheme for M40s, and childcare subsidies for those who have lost their jobs,” said the statement.
“Other Budget measures focus on investments in the green and digital economies, with grants and subsidies to accelerate the growth of these sectors.”
PH urged Putrajaya to help local firms evolve into regional and global champions of industry, and provide incentives to attract international companies to set up shop in Malaysia.
With regard to Sabah and Sarawak, it requested increased investments in healthcare facilities.
“We also proposed increasing the special grant to Sabah and Sarawak under Section 112D of the federal constitution, as well as ensuring that East Malaysia receives at least 30% of the development budget.”
Besides Lim, the other PH members who met with the Finance Ministry are Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, Subang MP Wong Chen, Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Hulu Langat MP Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus, Pandan Indah assemblyman Izham Hashim, Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen and Damansara MP Tony Pua. – The Vibes, September 25, 2021
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