Budget 2023 is one that covers all walks of life and proves the government’s commitment to ensuring that the interests of ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ are protected, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said.

He said the budget with a total allocation of RM372.3 billion will benefit all Malaysians, especially youth and the B40 group.

Wee said among others, the government had agreed to bear the cost of license fees under the MyPSV programme, as well as the B2 class motorcycle driving license fees to encourage more people to own licenses, besides enabling the B40 group to find work.

“This will help increase competitiveness and at the same time, they will be covered by insurance once they have a license. The issue of insurance coverage is no more a problem.

“For example, if they apply to be drivers, all costs for their license will be borne by the government… those involved in the delivery of goods will also be given incentives. I am also happy taxi drivers are rewarded in Budget 2023,” he said at the Parliament lobby after the tabling of the budget today.

Senior Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, meanwhile, said through the budget, the Defence Ministry will focus on four aspects, namely asset procurement, asset management, the welfare of Armed Forces veterans and housing for personnel, including veterans.

“The allocation for the Defence Ministry shows a considerable increase of RM17.37 billion for the year 2023, an increase of 7.8 percent compared to last year's allocation,” he said.

Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid, in a statement, said the allocation for the Rural Development Ministry which increased by four per cent or RM424.9 million compared to 2022 shows the government's commitment to taking care of the people's well-being in rural areas.

He said allocations for the ministry cover RM3.62 billion for management and another RM7.31 billion for development.

Mahdzir said RM2.49 billion has been allocated for the development of basic infrastructure in rural areas, RM102.86 million for the operation and maintenance costs of village street lights, RM114.4 million for rural entrepreneurial activities and RM460 million for the Keluarga Malaysia People's Housing Programme.

“The ministry will ensure that the allocations reach the rural communities to bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas towards creating more prosperous rural areas,” he said.

‘Much-needed investment’

Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said Budget 2023 which focuses on initiatives to empower Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is important when the country is in the economic recovery phase and in preparation for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0).

He said through Budget 2023, the government has allocated RM6.7 billion under seven main ministries to implement various TVET initiatives next year.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, meanwhile, said the 11.51 per cent increase in allocations for the Health Ministry (MoH) compared to 2022 is a much-needed investment to ensure Malaysians remain healthy and have access to quality health services, in turn contributing to the country's economic development.

“In general, MoH’s budget for 2023 will focus on strengthening the Healthcare and Wellness Programme, improving and overhauling health facilities, increasing the effectiveness of health treatment, replacing critical and obsolete medical assets as well as digitalising health services," he said in a statement.

Senior Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said the increase in Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) to RM150 compared to RM100 currently is good news for all parents as the aid was given across the board regardless of income.

He also welcomed the allocation of RM1.2 billion to upgrade the infrastructure of run-down schools.

“When I first set foot in the Education Ministry, I was determined that the issue of dilapidated buildings in schools across the country, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, could be dealt with efficiently and comprehensively," he said in a Facebook post.

- Bernama

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