New budget to consider manifestos of all parties in govt, says deputy finance minister

The new 2023 budget, expected to be tabled on Feb 24, will take into account the manifestos of all parties in the government, says Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan.

He said a special secretariat for the new budget has been established to examine and study the manifestos to be included in the budget.

He said some improvements will also be considered in the new budget to ensure that it meets the people’s needs and agenda.

"There are various parties in the unity government. All of them have good manifestos to implement. A special secretariat has been formed to examine these manifestos," he told a press conference in Chukai today.

Ahmad also said the government would continue with some of the initiatives made by the previous administration in its 2023 budget, such as the assistance of RM150 for every school student regardless of family income, which will be disbursed beginning Jan 12.

"Matters on the budget will be discussed at the ministry (of finance) meeting on Jan 3. It is up to the prime minister to decide the theme of the budget and its content," he said.

The previous government led by Ismail Sabri Yaakob tabled the 2023 budget, but it was not passed or debated in the Dewan Rakyat following the dissolution of Parliament on Oct 10.