KUCHING, Nov 6: The 2021 Federal Budge announced in Parliament today is an inclusive budget and the biggest budget ever at a whopping RM322.5 billion -taking into consideration a structured 6R approach: Resolve, Resilience, Restart, Recovery, Revitalize and Reform.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women Chief, Datuk Seri Doris Brodie said the 2021 Budget encompasses a wide spectrum with emphasis on the wellbeing and prosperity of Malaysians directed at preserving people’s lives and livelihoods, sustainable living, business continuity and efficient steering of the nation’s economy.
This will help us to be resilient and position us to be responsive to seize and realize opportunities, especially during the recovery phase post-Covid-19 pandemic.
“As I see it, Budget 2021 actually complements the economic recovery packages that were issued by the government earlier, which includes the National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) and the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package.
“All of this is to address the economic challenges that have been brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said in response to Budget 2021 tabled today by Finance Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz today in Parliament,” she added.
Doris said although the RM4.5 billion allocated to Sarawak for infrastructure development and RM41 million for Natives Customary Rights programmes in the state and Sabah is not what people in Sarawak expected, but the initiatives, efforts and seriousness taken by the government to contain the Covid19 pandemic within the country deserves the support and praises from all walks of life.
“In this budget, the Federal Government among others committing a huge sum of RM3 billion to acquire the vaccine for Covid-19 and another RM1 billion to fight the third wave of Covid-19 deserves our support and praises,” she said.
She said, although the 2021 Budget can be regarded as people-friendly, it is important for the government to ensure that the implementation system or the process involved is properly looked into.
This is to ensure that the targeted groups especially the B40, M40 and those in need can benefit from it accordingly a timely manner.
“It also has taken into consideration the harnessing and the deployment of digital technologies (logistics, healthcare, digital infrastructure and internet connectivity) in business and commerce by supporting entrepreneurs, students and all relevant parties.
“Under the new norm, emphasis on digital economic transformation is crucial,” she added. – DayakDaily
