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KUALA LUMPUR: The government should explain the reason for the increase in the budget allocation for administrative costs of the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD), opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pix) said.
During a debate in the Dewan Rakyat about the allocation for PMD, he questioned why the administrative cost had increased by 10.7%.
“The money could be better used to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic and help those in need during this crisis.
“The RM11.7 billion allocation for PMD under the Budget was RM1b more than this year,” said Anwar (PH-Port Dickson).
He said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin needs to explain why PMD needs so many ministers and special envoys.
He noted that special envoys may not be effective as international travel would be limited during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that the special envoys, who have ministerial rank, effectively overlap with the duties of Malaysian ambassadors.
Anwar also attacked the allocation of RM181 million as emoluments for hired staff and political appointments in the budget.
He said the additional funds can be used to help the poor and unemployed.
“The money can be used to improve the well-being of front-line workers fighting Covid-19,” he said.
He said that while the entire cabinet was at the top with a total of 32 ministers, this was most evident in the PMD, which has five more ministers and five more deputies.
The government has allocated 322.5 billion ringgit, or 20.6% of the country’s gross domestic product, for the budget.
Operating expenses will represent RM 236.5 billion, or 73.3% of the budget, while development expenses will be RM 69 billion or 21.4% of allocations.
Another 17 billion ringgit, or 5.3% of the amount, will be reserved for the Covid-19 Fund.
The budget of the Prime Minister’s Department was approved by a block vote, with 105 deputies supporting it, 95 against and 20 abstaining from voting.
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