Budget for youth and sports ministry passed

The RM940 million budget for the youth and sports ministry was passed by voice vote after the committee-level debate in the Dewan Rakyat today, the 20th ministerial allocation to be approved so far.

Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, in his winding-up speech, said RM240 million had been allocated for the development of sports in the country, divided into several portions.

RM28 million is for the MyFit programme, National Sports Day and the Program Inspire OKU.

RM103 million is for the development, improvement and maintenance of sports facilities across the country, while RM55 million is for the development of hockey, rugby, badminton, cycling and women athletics including RM15 million for e-sports.

Another RM20 million is for soft loans under the Tekun Sukan scheme for the operators of sports facilities while RM19 million is for the national health agenda.

The budget for 2021 – RM322.5 billion, the country’s largest ever – was passed at the policy stage on Nov 26 in what was seen as a crucial test of support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

It was passed by voice vote after the opposition failed to garner enough support to force a bloc vote.