BUDGET 2025 | Former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz reminded the government to ensure that the implementation of Budget 2025 is free from leakages, distortions and waste.

In a statement, Rafidah lauded the presentation of the largest budget in the country’s history but emphasised the need for strict monitoring so that spending reaches its true goals.

“There is a saying among elders that the bigger the pot, the bigger the crust. The crust is burnt and cannot be eaten, which is a waste.

“So the government needs to make sure, among other things, that there is no rice crust... and that all rice can be eaten,” she said in her statement last night.

Rafidah (above) explained that in this instance the “crust” meant, among other things, leakage and wastage of expenses and allocations.

She said this would include the diversion of allocations to “middlemen” and spending without cost-benefit analysis and processes to track spending trends and avoid waste.

Track every expenditure

She added that leakages can occur if there is no mechanism to track every expenditure and allocation, and when there is a weak monitoring system.

“There are departments that do not have effective systems to provide periodic reports to track every form and amount of expenditure.

“For example, infrastructure projects and the supply of equipment such as for the air, sea and land forces,” she said.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim tabled his coalition government’s third fiscal plan for the nation in the Dewan Rakyat.

Titled “Reinvigorating the Economy, Driving Reforms, Prospering the Rakyat”, the budget aims to protect the interests of the lower and middle-income categories as well as the bottom of the high-income group dubbed the “85 percent” as opposed to the ultra-rich “T15”.

The national budget, amounting to RM421 billion, was the biggest in history, with RM335 billion allocated for operating expenses, with RM86 billion intended for development expenditures.

It placed greater emphasis on efforts to boost the economy, master innovation aspects, and ensure a fairer and more equitable distribution of wealth, Anwar said.

Committed action must follow

Rafidah said it is not disputed that Budget 2025 was formulated with good intentions, but its implementation must be given serious and thorough attention.

“Otherwise every leak, diversion, leakage and waste will be a burden of cost to the people, and damage our country.

“Fighting corruption and graft must start with good intentions. But that intention must be followed up with serious and committed actions and efforts.

“The people are unable and unwilling to see the rice crust in the pot getting thicker,” she added.