PETALING JAYA: The RM107.7 billion temporary operating budget has been passed in the Dewan Rakyat.
The mini budget had been tabled for its second reading earlier today by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister.
It is mainly to pay salaries of civil servants and other related operational expenditure to ensure the smooth operations of the government until the new budget is passed.
According to the Dewan Rakyat order paper, funds for the temporary budget will come from the development fund while the government re-works the proposed 2023 budget tabled by the previous government before Parliament was dissolved in November.
Anwar will table a full new budget in February.
The RM107.7 billion temporary operating budget includes RM55.9 billion for civil servants’ salaries and other related operational expenditures for the government.
In tabling the mini budget earlier, Anwar said the bill was crucial so that ongoing development, repair and maintenance projects could proceed.
He confirmed that his government will be continuing the RM150 in early school aid for all students, regardless of their parents’ incomes, an initiative announced by his predecessor Ismail Sabri Yaakob in October.
Ismail was previously reported to have said that some RM825 million would be allocated for this.
Anwar also said his government will proceed with the RM100 increment for all civil servants between Grade 11 to Grade 56, which will involve RM1.5 billion.
The mini budget will also be crucial to help the national disaster management agency (Nadma) tackle the ongoing floods and help victims.
“The government assures that it will prepare additional financial resources, if needed, to ensure that the management of the floods goes smoothly.”
