MPs grill deputy minister over Budget 2021 mental health allocations

PARLIAMENT | Concerns over the government's commitment in addressing mental health issues among Malaysians in times of the Covid-19 pandemic today saw MPs from both sides of the House cornering Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali on the RM24 million allocations announced under Budget 2021.

BN's Jelebu MP Jalaluddin Alias and Harapan's Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto both pointed out that the RM24 million figure announced by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz was not listed under the Health Ministry's budget debated at the committee stage today.

Instead, Jalaluddin said the ministry's expected budget expenditure stated a reduction of RM31 million allocation for mental health, RM313.4026 million next year, compared to RM344.8165 million this year.

"I am confused because the record showed a reduction of RM31 million, but the deputy minister answered an 'increase' of RM24 million.

"I would like to seek clarification whether I am going mental or not," he said.

Jalaluddin earlier urged the Health Ministry to allocate more funds towards promoting better mental health care among Malaysians affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as illustrated by a spike in suicide cases and other related illnesses.

Kasthuri similarly insisted that the RM24 million cited by Noor Azmi for mental health care and awareness programmes next year were not listed under the ministry's allocations.

"I think this is a treachery to the house," she stressed after Noor Azmi proceeded to respond to other matters raised during the debates.

When contacted, Noor Azmi claimed he was "attacked" by the MPs during his speech.

"They attacked me right from the start. They did not want to listen to my explanation. They tried to confuse me," he told Malaysiakini.

The Bagan Serai MP also clarified that the RM24.6 million budget in dispute was listed as part of the Health Ministry's additional RM79.6 million allocations listed under the Finance Ministry's expenditure.

Meanwhile, he said the remaining RM55.6 million additional allocations comprise RM19 million for the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat initiative; RM25 million for peritoneal dialysis treatment; RM6 million for biologics; and RM5 million for cervical cancer screenings.

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