KUALA LUMPUR – The RM11.69 billion received by the Prime Minister’s Department under Budget 2021 points to a return to centralised power, as was similarly practised by the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration, a study by Research for Social Advancement (Refsa) indicates.
“Budget 2021 returns the former practice of centralising power to the Prime Minister’s Department to widen the powers of the prime minister with a disregard for checks and balances,” said its research coordinator, Fakhrurrazi Rashind.
Under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, the Prime Minister's Department received RM7.39 billion in 2019 and RM7.9 billion this year. When the Perikatan Nasional (PN) seized power in late February, the allocation rose to RM10.6 billion.
For 2017 and 2018, the BN administration allocated RM15.94 billion and RM12.1 billion, respectively, for the Department, and appointed 10 ministers and 10 deputy ministers.
PH allocated RM7.39 billion in 2019, and an estimated RM7.9 billion in 2020 for the department, and appointed three ministers and three deputy ministers.
Meanwhile, PN has five ministers and five deputies supported by an estimated allocation of RM10.62 billion and RM11.63 billion for 2020 and 2021, respectively.
“After 2018, there was a significant reduction in the amount allocated for the department. Last year and 2020 showed the least amount of allocations since 2010.
“The restructuring of the department in 2018 was to ensure that the administration of the country was effective and that all ministries received equitable allocations,” the study said.
The restructuring involved moving agencies under the department, such as the Land Public Transport Agency (SPAD), to other ministries.
The study also pointed to the allocation for development under Budget 2021, which stands at RM7.2 billion, or 10.61% of the total RM71 billion allocated for development as a whole.
This RM7.2 billion for development is also 6.63%, or RM3.85 billion, higher than what was allocated in Budget 2020.
“The funds for the department’s development, which has risen significantly, should be given to other ministries that may need funds during troubling times like these. There are a few allocations for the development of other ministries that were slashed under Budget 2021, like those for the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry,” the study said.
Under Budget 2021, the funds received by the Youth and Sports Ministry stands at RM326.4 million compared with RM484 million and RM366.6 million allocated under Budget 2020 and Budget 2019, respectively.
Similarly, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry received RM153.8 million under Budget 2021, a decrease compared with last year when it received RM187.9 million.
“The increment in funds needed by ministries like these will stimulate the economy and help targeted groups like tourism companies and unemployed youth that lost their income during the Covid-19 crisis,” the study added.
Also, allocations for parliamentary institutions under Budget 2020 rose by 5.3% compared with Budget 2019.
This year saw Parliament receiving RM145.1 million compared with RM137.4 the previous year.
“This increase happened because Parliament attempted to improve its role, particularly when there are 11 select committees established to check on government policies.
“Unfortunately, Parliament allocations only rose by RM163,000 or 0.1% to RM145.35 million under Budget 2021,” the study said, while questioning the current government’s commitment to improving the country's parliamentary system.
Refsa warned that this increase of funds to the Prime Minister’s Department will hinder institutional reforms, and displays PN's aim to strengthen the prime minister’s position as opposed to saving the economy and defending democratic institutions.
Refsa is a non-profit think-tank that promotes social advancement in Malaysia. – The Vibes, November 21, 2020
