Make annual budget midterm reviews public - business groups

The annual budget’s midterm review should be made public so its successes and failings can be revealed, said Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Indian Chamber of Commerce council member AT Kumararajah.

“Hold an event especially to analyse the budget failings, successes, what was carried out, what wasn’t and publicise it in a bigger manner.

“The midterm review is very important because this is where it is learnt what worked and what didn’t work, but no one knows what transpired behind the government’s closed doors.

“The event will provide better optics and provide a good platform for the government to explain, and correct if need be, its programmes,” said Kumararajah, adding that the review usually took place during the second half of the second quarter of the year.

When asked if the budget made sufficient provisions to address the needs of the Indian community, he said the transfer of Mitra back to the Prime Minister’s Department with an RM100 million allocation was an important change.

Meanwhile, Kumararajah said that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had also agreed to allow their organisation to form a foundation that would support sustainable community programmes.

He explained that the foundation would not be burdened with annual budgeting constraints, especially when the communities partnered with the government in long-term projects.

An election budget

Meanwhile, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) president Goh Tian Chuan described Budget 2023 as a “general election budget” that will comprehensively take care of the middle- and lower-class people.

Goh said the RM55 billion allocated to reduce the cost of living was to control goods prices, offer subsidies, incentives, aid, and public transport subsidies.

“This included the RM200 e-wallet credit for youth, increment in the Keluarga Malaysia Aid, RM500 cash aid for mothers receiving welfare, 80 percent subsidy for gig workers social security contribution, and even welfare for mothers who give birth in the coming year,” he said.

While expressing concern over the unbalanced ratio between operational and development expenditures, Goh lauded efforts to revive the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) discount of up to 20 percent for full payment.

He also suggested that the government introduce a “slimming plan” for the public sector instead of continuously increasing the emolument of public servants.

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