KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is in talks with the prime minister, who is also the finance minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to increase the allocation for the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) in the upcoming Budget 2024.
The investment, trade, and industry minister said national athletes deserve to be supported more by the government, with their consistent progress and recent success in the ongoing Hangzhou Asian Games.
“Our national athletes have been showing great progress over the past year through their sporting excellence, and they deserve more support for their achievements.
“They have been performing exceptionally well in the current Asian Games, winning three gold medals.
“We are currently discussing with the finance minister and Hannah Yeoh (youth and sports minister) at the cabinet level to propose a higher allocation for the sports ministry in this year’s national budget,” said Zafrul during a special screening of Gemencheh Boys at Central i-City, Shah Alam today.
Zafrul also expressed his anticipation for the allocation to be given to his ministry, as it will aid in making Malaysia an attractive destination for foreign investors.
“From the ministry’s perspective, we expect and propose the promotion of our nation as an investor hub for international and domestic investors, thereby assisting Malaysian companies in expanding their business in the international market.
“We are looking forward to the allocation,” added the minister.
Last year, the Finance Ministry allocated RM332 million for KBS to effectively carry out its programmes, a significant reduction from 2021’s RM614.7 million.
However, last year’s budget was initially reduced to RM289 million but was later increased with an additional RM42 million for the Podium Programme.
Over the years, the budget allocation for sports has primarily focused on developing a comprehensive sports ecosystem, including identifying new talents, implementing training programmes, and improving sports facilities.
Currently, Malaysia stands 13th in the Asian Games standings with a total of 18 medals (3 gold, 3 silver, and 12 bronze) won. – October 1, 2023