In wrapping up the Budget 2020 tabling in parliament, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today shared his vision for Malaysia over the next one year.

Lim (photo) ended his speech, which lasted slightly over two hours, with a reminder that Malaysia belongs to all regardless of age, race, religion, background or geography.

"From Perlis to Sabah, let us unite to strive together so that the fruits of our efforts can be shared equitably with care and respect for each other.

"We are entrusted with this new hope as our duty...," said Lim, who credited Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as having inspired various initiatives announced under Budget 2020.

"Let’s strengthen national unity and integration towards building a better life and brighter future for our children," he stressed.

Lim reiterated that the government's Shared Prosperity agenda, a continuation of the Vision 2020 aim, is infused with ideas, idealism, innovation, institutional reforms and integrity to forge a new Malaysia.

"A New Malaysia that offers as the birthright of all Malaysians, adequate medical care; a good education; useful and remunerative job; decent home; freedom from unfair competition and monopolies; human dignity filled with rights and respect; and a society devoted to religious tolerance and racial harmony, where our children grow up free from fear but full of promise and opportunity," he said.

He also noted that Malaysia will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 and how it is an opportunity to reintroduce the country to the world.

Overall, Lim earlier said the 2020 Budget is growth-centric, with precisely designed measures to optimise the impact on economic growth, job creation and structural change, without compromising the government’s commitment to restore Malaysia’s fiscal health in the medium term.