BY NAZLI IBRAHIM
KUALA LUMPUR, OCT 21: The national economy is expected to remain slow as not much effort is made to boost economic activities in the 2017 Budget presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on October 21.
This was obvious as the Federal Government allocated only a total amount of RM46 billion for development expenditure compared to RM214.8 billion allocated for operating expenditure.
“2017’s budget of RM260.8 billion is an increase of 3.4% from the 2016 Budget.
“Of this amount, RM214.8 billion is allocated for operating expenditure while RM46 billion for development expenditure. This does not include contingency reserves of RM2 billion,” Najib said in his 2017 Budget presentation at the Dewan Rakyat.
The federal government should instead minimise operating expenditure, especially on redundant matters that are not directly affecting citizens.
Among steps that can be taken to reduce expenditure are slashing ministers’ salaries, overseas travel allowances, transportation costs abroad and other wasteful spending that occur under Najib’s administration.
In addition, Najib also failed to highlight or formulate a solution to overcome several issues that are occurring in the management of government departments.
Only 21.41% out of RM214.8 billion allocated for development
