2022 budget is inclusive, crucial to M'sian Family - Wisma Putra
The Foreign Ministry has described the tabling of National Budget 2022 as inclusive, high impact, and crucial to the Malaysian Family in facing the pandemic.
Its minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Wisma Putra will utilise its budget allocation to strengthen Malaysia’s diplomatic missions abroad through strategic communication and public diplomacy.
"This includes enhancing the delivery of consular services to Malaysians using...
The Foreign Ministry has described the tabling of National Budget 2022 as inclusive, high impact, and crucial to the Malaysian Family in facing the pandemic.
Its minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Wisma Putra will utilise its budget allocation to strengthen Malaysia’s diplomatic missions abroad through strategic communication and public diplomacy.
"This includes enhancing the delivery of consular services to Malaysians using digital diplomacy, upgrading ICT facilities and infrastructure, improving the welfare of officers, as well as... continuous training programmes and opportunities.
"These initiatives are in line with Malaysia’s Foreign Policy Framework and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan for 2021–2025," he said in a statement.
Saifuddin said Wisma Putra will ensure that the initiatives planned for 2022 can be implemented successfully through continuous engagements with the Ministry of Finance, as well as with other ministries and agencies.
Under Budget 2022 tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz yesterday, Wisma Putra was allocated over RM868 million compared to about RM778 million in 2021.
Out of the total allocation for 2022, operating expenditure saw an increment of 8.13 percent compared to last year, while development expenditure saw an increase of 44.68 percent.
Commenting further, Saifuddin said Malaysia will continue to engage actively and assert its positions and views on global issues, including on digital economy, health diplomacy, cyber security, sustainable development, nuclear disarmament and climate change.
"Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that has altered the international diplomacy landscape, Wisma Putra will continue to undertake a number of high impact initiatives that will benefit Malaysia’s interests, both regionally and globally," he said.
The initiatives include strategic cooperation and collaboration in the recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates as well as cooperation programmes between medical and pharmaceutical product manufacturers and partner countries, travel bubbles, and reciprocal green lane programmes to encourage border reopening and targeted expansion of Malaysian products.
"These initiatives will revitalise Malaysia's links to the global economy in the post-pandemic as well as enhance Malaysia's reputation in the international community," said Saifuddin.
- Bernama
