KUCHING, Nov 7: Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office Abdullah Saidol describes Budget 2021 as a huge budget but deficit.
He said as much as 72 percent, which is also RM236.5 billion out of the total budget was for operation and management expenditures substantial to support the frontliners, while a not-so-impressive 21 percent was allocated for national development.
“They (Federal government) tabled a huge budget of RM322.5 billion but it’s a deficit budget.
“As much of 72 percent was set aside for operation and management expenditure whilst a bit disappointed but not-so-impressive 21 percent, RM69 billion was allocated for development, but you can’t avoid putting some into the Covid-19 fund which is RM17 billion, an estimate of five percent of the budget,” he said.
Nevertheless, Abdullah said he was appreciative of RM4.5 billion special allocation to Sarawak despite the deficit budget amid difficult times during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also wished to thank the federal government for considering the farmers and fishermen with a RM1.7 billion allocation in the forms of subsidies, aids and incentives.
“Also appreciated is the allocation of RM6.5 billion for the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) that will benefit 8.1 million individuals.
“(It was) an increment of RM1.5 billion compared to RM5 billion previously which only benefitted 4.3 million beneficiaries,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, he expressed his hopes for the movement and survival of the economic and trade cycle especially among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as many incentives were given to this group of people.
“While I perceive this budget as daring, but at the same time, I do admire the humanitarian contents of this budget.
“I do support the spirit of the budget, ‘Stand United, We Shall Prevail’, which translates to prevailing and embracing the conscience of the people because the people’s trust is priceless,” said Abdullah.-DayakDaily
