The Prime Minister's Department (PMD) needs to have a huge allocation in Budget 2014 as it is the decision-maker and implementing body for government policies.

NONEMinister in the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala is reported in today's Utusan Malaysia as saying the various units under the PMD are the main bodies for the economic growth of the country.

"For example, the capital expenditure for the country is channelled through the Economic Planning Unit. This unit is huge and placed under the PMD.

"For your information, the department is the coordinator for the country in various aspects. Hence it requires a huge allocation."

Idris was commenting on Malaysiakini's report that the PM's Department has been allocated a budget of RM16.45 billion, the highest ever, surpassing the previous sum of RM15.62 billion in 2011.

According to the federal expenditure estimate 2014, the PMD's estimated budget for next year stands at RM16.45 billion, with an operational expenditure of RM5.86 billion and developmental expenditure of RM10.58 billion.

The PMD expenditure in previous years is as follows: RM6.91 billion (2008), RM10.19 billion (2009), RM11.88 billion (2010), RM 15.62 billion (2011), and RM13.721 billion (2012).

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