Tengku Zafrul to seek all views for a ‘more inclusive’ 2022 budget

 

Incoming finance minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz presented RM10,000 in food baskets to Orang Asli families in Carey Island today. (Bernama pic)

KLANG: The Ministry of Finance will for the first time announce a pre-budget statement soon in preparation for the tabling of the 2022 federal budget at the end of October.

Incoming finance minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who takes office tomorrow, said the ministry would invite all stakeholders to give their input.

“This is a very important budget not only in terms of assistance but in terms of guidance for the recovery of the Malaysian economy. We will formulate several criteria, (and) one of them is welfare,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul said the Treasury would continue to meet with all stakeholders, including government and opposition MPs in line with the “Malaysian Family” concept announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Tengku Zafrul chatting with the Orang Asli community (Bernama pic)

“I will hold meetings with all stakeholders and also from various parties, including the opposition members to outline assistance for the people and to get views from different angles as it will present a more inclusive budget for all Malaysians,” he said.

The finance minister said that the ministry would also table the 12th Malaysia Plan in Parliament.

On the targets set within 100 days following the announcement of a new Cabinet line-up by the prime minister on Friday, Tengku Zafrul said his focus, for now, is to safeguard the country’s prosperity, business continuity and economic resilience.

He said the finance ministry welcomes the prime minister’s initiative, under which each ministry must make short- and long-term plans to achieve the set targets and prove their initial achievements in the first 100 days.

“The setting of the key performance index is good because it allows all ministries, especially the MoF and the people, to measure the government’s delivery or achievements so that we can identify strengths and weaknesses that need improvement,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul was speaking to reporters after donating food baskets valued at RM10,000 to 100 Orang Asli families at the Mah Meri village on Carey Island here today. - FMT