KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Budget 2024, which allocated RM393.8 billion, has left Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal “confused”.
Speaking to reporters after Anwar’s tabling of the 2024 supply bill in Parliament, the Machang MP admitted he had mixed responses after listening to the announcement, adding that he hoped for the prime minister to elaborate on certain allocations.
He also touched on the subsidy rationalisation, which he deemed as one of the things that left him baffled.
“We didn’t hear any information on the mechanism (of subsidy rationalisation). Initially, the economy minister (Rafizi Ramli) did propose the return of the Goods and Services Tax, but there was no mention of any consumption tax that could increase the government’s revenue.
“We are also still waiting for clarification on whether this budget was drafted based on real situations. So there are many things left unclear and we were left wondering.
“But it’s always sunshine and rainbows during budget tablings, but the implementation is actually the crucial part.”
He said the opposition will continue to play a check-and-balance role in Parliament so that the public would benefit most from the budget.
“It is too early for us to give a concise assessment about the unity government’s economic model or fiscal management. But if you ask me, the highlight of the day from today’s budget tabling is the subsidy rationalisation.
“It’s a very thorny issue because all this while, governments from Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and even Pakatan Harapan 1.0 have always tried to manage this issue, but they couldn’t deliver because of mechanism issues.
“But I’m confused actually, with the budget because we couldn’t hear any specific growth areas…. we were hoping that he would elaborate on the matter during this budget but we didn’t hear it.
“For example, where is all this investment that was talked about before, such as the Tesla investment? Because… at the end of the day it’s all about charging stations and not automotive production.”
Earlier Anwar unveiled the 2024 budget of RM393.8 billion, with a large chunk of the allocation going to three ministries – finance, education and health, collectively accounting for 42.3% of the total. – October 13, 2023