Allocation for non-bumi up 5.9pct from 2022: Finance Ministry

Summary

• Total allocation for non-bumiputera increased by 5.9 percent from the amount approved in 2022, says the Finance Ministry.

• The ministry denies the perception that funds allocated to the non-bumiputera had been reduced.

Overall allocations for non-bumiputera under the federal budget have increased by 5.9 percent from an approved amount in 2022, according to the Finance Ministry.

The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increase allocations for the people, including specifically for Chinese, Indians, and other minorities. 

“This is evidenced by the budget under the Madani government, which has increased by 5.9 percent since 2022.

“Therefore, the claim that the approved allocation has decreased compared to the previous government is not relevant,” it said in a parliamentary written reply responding to Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng.

The government also reiterated that Budget 2025 is focused on raising the standard of living for all Malaysians while assisting the needy through RM13 billion in cash transfers.

Lim had asked the finance minister to break down the targeted non-bumiputera allocations and respond to claims that the amount is lower compared to the previous administration.

The DAP chairperson previously revealed that Perikatan Nasional’s 2022 budget had allocated RM345 million or approximately three percent of the federal budget for non-bumiputera, and requested for the current government to increase the allocation to 10 percent. 

The written reply did not specify the total allocation for non-bumiputera but a 5.9 percent increase from RM345 million amounts to approximately an additional RM20 million.

Additionally, the reply listed nine programmes - either in the form of loans or grants - offered to strengthen the involvement of non-bumiputera in various fields.

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