49 Of 2023 Budget Spent So Far Says Anwar

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said budget spending has not been satisfactory so far, and projects for the people should be speeded up. (Bernama pic)PUTRAJAYA: A total of RM188 billion (or 49%) of the 2023 budget has been spent as of June this year, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said this was an improvement on the RM170 billion spent during the corresponding period last year.
“Even though it shows an improvement from 2022, it could be better. Initiatives for the people should be intensified and expedited.
“It is not quite satisfactory because we have to achieve 60% by August,” he said today at an engagement session for the 2024 budget.
The RM388 billion 2023 budget comprises allocations of RM289 billion for operating expenses and RM99 billion for development, including RM2 billion in contingency savings.
Anwar said the government is decentralising power, setting aside additional allocations, and providing flexibility in procurement procedures to speed up project development.
Some RM50 million in projects have been delegated to the technical departments of Sabah and Sarawak, RM100,000 to all district engineers for minor repairs, and a special allocation of RM200 million for the army’s engineering corps to carry out refurbishment of quarters.
Anwar said he will announce funding for the General Operations Force and the police housing programme tomorrow.
The prime minister also announced RM100 million in additional funding for small projects under local authorities, bringing the total to RM400 million for 2023; and a RM600 million increase in funds for maintenance and repair of ministry of education schools, bringing the total for this year to RM1.5 billion.
Anwar added the government has also agreed to allocate a portion of the maintenance funds to the parents and teachers associations to carry out small maintenance projects in public schools. - FMT

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