KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — The Dewan Rakyat has approved the Supplementary Supply Bill (2023) 2024 involving the withdrawal of a sum of money not exceeding RM23,479,669,350 from the Consolidated Fund for additional expenses for services in 2023.
The bill was approved with a majority voice after it was debated by government and Opposition MPs.
Yesterday, the bill was tabled for the second reading by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
The additional allocations were sought for the use of Treasury General Services amounting to RM14,486,540,550, Statutory Funds (RM4,204,668,800), the Education Ministry (MOE, RM1,973,724,300), and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (RM1,174,138,000).
The allocations are also for the Health Ministry (MOH, RM687,892,500), the Defence Ministry (RM410,530,750), the Election Commission (RM300,000,000), the Public Service Department (RM153,263,900), the Housing and Local Government Ministry (RM56,910,550), and the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS, RM32,000,000).
Winding up the debate on behalf of KBS, its minister Hannah Yeoh said the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is developing a long-term business plan to further intensify the organisation of various events at the location.
The business plan is expected to be tabled to KBS in the fourth quarter of this year.
“This year, the Rakan Muda programme received a RM20 million budget covering 10 lifestyles, with Rakan Litar among them. SIC has been entrusted by KBS to organise more events not only of international stature but also to open up the place to youths who perhaps could not afford to rent the space previously.
“We are studying the business module for using the location for different events, and I have also introduced SIC to ambassadors for them to rent the many facilities available for holding corporate meetings,” she said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the additional allocations were required to meet the unexpected surge in global prices of pharmaceutical products like medicines and vaccines caused by high demand after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking during the wind-up of the debate for MOH, he said prices also surged following the withdrawal of pharmaceutical products from the Approved Products Purchase List (APPL) after the expiry of the privatisation concession contract for Pharmaniaga’s medical laboratory and store on June 30 last year.
“After the contract expired, prices surged fivefold through procurement by either open tender or price quotation. For example, the cost of steroid inhalers surged more than 50 per cent, and vaccines 200 per cent,” Dr Dzulkefly said.
He did not rule out the possibility that the extra allocations are required to cover an increase in patients at public health facilities due to the existence of certain epidemics.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the ministry had approved the construction of 26 new schools this year in a bid to reduce student density. The move will benefit over 50,000 students and 3,000 teachers.
Winding up of the debate for MOE, he said this is a long-term effort as ordinarily only eight to 10 new schools would be approved for construction annually.
“MOE welcomes initiatives by the private sector to build schools through corporate social responsibility (CSR), especially those near housing developments,” Wong said.
The Dewan Rakyat will sit again tomorrow.
— Bernama
