Govt to publish consultation paper on Fiscal Responsibility Act framework
The government will publish a public consultation paper on the Fiscal Responsibility Act framework to obtain input from all stakeholders, said the Ministry of Finance.
In its Pre-Budget Statement for Budget 2022, the ministry said the government is also reviewing public spending to strengthen its financial position and rebuild fiscal space.
“The government...
The government will publish a public consultation paper on the Fiscal Responsibility Act framework to obtain input from all stakeholders, said the Ministry of Finance.
In its Pre-Budget Statement for Budget 2022, the ministry said the government is also reviewing public spending to strengthen its financial position and rebuild fiscal space.
“The government remains committed to pursuing fiscal consolidation measures guided by the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework and supported by the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy to broaden the tax base and enhance the government's indebtedness capability,” it said.
The ministry added that there is also a need to increase the statutory debt limit to provide additional fiscal space in strengthening the domestic economy and ensuring a sustainable recovery.
Malaysia’s deficit target is estimated to increase to between 6.5 percent and 7.0 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, given the continued fiscal spending required to support the gradual re-opening of the economy.
“However, with the revision of growth prospects and fiscal targets in line with the implementation of the National Recovery Plan, the government needs to ensure adequate fiscal space in the face of the pandemic,” it added.
As of the end of June 2021, the federal government's debt level rose to 61.2 percent of GDP with the statutory debt level at 56.8 percent, which is still below the statutory limit of 60 percent.
In the medium term, the ministry said the fiscal consolidation trajectory will be contingent on the recovery from the health and economic crises.
The government will focus on restoring the country's growth track, enabling the people and businesses to adapt to new norms as well as increasing investment to generate future growth towards providing better job opportunities, it added.
The ministry said fiscal operations have been and will be supported through spending rationalisation by prioritising additional aid packages to strengthen the health and economic sectors.
“These measures include delaying the implementation of several programmes and projects, restricting non-critical expenditure following the implementation of the Movement Control Order, and optimising operations under the new norm to improve spending efficiency,” it added.
In addition, the ministry said revenue shortfall is expected to be offset by better collection of commodity-related revenues due to higher crude oil and palm oil prices.
- Bernama
