KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — The government is planning to set up a budget monitoring committee to ensure that every development proposal announced under Budget 2023 can be achieved.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the committee would monitor each ministry following the allocation of RM99 billion for development expenditure this year, which is the biggest ever in history.
He said the committee should be created to assess to what extent the development proposals and allocations have been implemented.
“We also hope that the ministries’ achievements are 100 per cent. For example, if the ministry is allocated RM10 billion, then RM10 billion including operating expenditure and development expenditure must be used (for development purposes),” he told Bernama.
He said this when asked to comment on the government’s commitment to eradicating extreme poverty.
The previous government had established the 2022 Budget Monitoring Committee (JPB 2022) to monitor the implementation and performance of various initiatives under Budget 2022 for the well-being of the people.
Meanwhile, the Pontian Member of Parliament said the government’s proposal to impose an excise duty on liquid or gel products containing nicotine used in electronic cigarettes and vape would provide a new revenue source for the government.
“We expect to be able to collect as much as RM900 million to RM1 billion if it can be implemented. We also want to plug the leakage in tax revenue due to evasion, especially cigarettes that are not taxed, which cause approximately RM5 billion in leakage,” he said.
Budget 2023 is themed ‘Developing Malaysia Madani’ which involves an allocation of RM388.1 billion with RM289.1 billion for operating expenditure, and RM99 billion for development expenditure including RM2 billion in contingency savings.
It focuses on 12 main efforts based on three determinations which are inclusive and sustainable economic drive, institutional and governance reforms to restore confidence and social justice to moderate disparities.
— Bernama
