KUALA LUMPUR，Nov 3: More than 6,600 proposals have been received through the 2021 budget consultation sessions involving political parties as well as through the Budget 2021 website, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said.
He said at least 170 of the proposals were obtained during meetings with politicians.
“Generally, the proposals are focused on the support and assistance required to weather the effects of Covid-19 as we approach 2021.
“Among the sectors with the highest number of proposals are healthcare, job support, education and the small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) industry. The government is sifting through the proposals for inclusion in the budget which will be announced on Friday,” he said in a statement.
Tengku Zafrul thanked all stakeholders – the people, businesses, NGOs and the public and private sectors – that took part in the consultation process.
He said the 2021 budget is the fifth measure in the six-phase strategy, or 6R Strategy, which is the government’s economic recovery plan rolled out in March.
The budget, which follows the success of the previous economic stimulus packages, has three main objectives – ensuring the people’s welfare, business continuity, and economic resilience.
The budget consultations were held with representatives from political parties, including Umno, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, PAS, MCA, Warisan and Pakatan Harapan.
At least 40 consultation sessions were held, involving more than 2,000 individuals and business representatives, since July.
This included on the ground engagement sessions in each state, carried out for the first time by the ministry to get close to the people and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
