KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hit out at critics of the government's decision to reduce the country's fiscal deficit by 4.3 per cent by 2024.
The prime minister said, even though the unity government has ambitious plans to reduce the country's fiscal deficit, it does not mean that the government will neglect initiatives and programmes aimed at improving the livelihood and well-being of the people.
"However, we acknowledge that is an issue and this is why the projection of five per cent this year was successfully achieved and we are aiming for 4.3 per cent in 2024.
"We are also adopting an expansionary approach for the 2024 Budget with an allocation of RM398.8 billion, an increase from the RM386.1 billion set in last year's budget.
"This was further proven by the government's effort in increasing various allocations and incentives under the 2024 Budget to improve the people's wellbeing," he said during the Finance Ministry's winding-up speech of the 2024 Supply Bill at the policy stage.
Anwar, however, acknowledged that the concern raised by certain quarters was valid and gave his full assurance that the status of projects and programmes involving the people would not be affected.
"The government's assurance was also translated through various initiatives, such as the drop in unemployment rate by 34 per cent in August.
"Others include the subsidy of padi which has been increased after a long period, as well as the increase in rubber price from RM2.70 to RM3 this year.
"Hence, I hope that (those who criticise the tabling of the budget) will read and review the details first before giving criticism," he said.
On Oct 13, Anwar tabled the 2024 Budget, the second Madani budget, demonstrating the unity government's commitment to empowering the people's economy.
Themed "Economic Reform, Empowering the People", the 2024 Budget involves an allocation of RM393.8 billion, the highest budget ever tabled.
Of the total, RM303.8 billion was allocated for operating expenditure, RM90 billion for development expenditure and RM2 billion for contingency savings.
Among the key points of the budget was that next year's fiscal deficit was projected to decrease to 4.3 per cent, compared to the 5.0 per cent target this year.