Bernama - Joint Session Between Ministries To Be Held In Preparing Budget 2021 - Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Oct - A joint session will be held between ministries to discuss proposals as well as the operational and development needs in relation to Budget 2021, said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz.

The Finance Ministry is in the process of drafting Budget 2021, which will be tabled on Nov 6.

Tengku Zafrul said economic continuity would be given priority to ensure the momentum of economic recovery was maintained.

“Therefore, the government calls on the people to work together in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by always practicing the new norms and physical distancing, maintaining hygiene and health, as well as be disciplined in complying with the standard operating procedures issued by the government,” he said in the latest report on the implementation of the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) and National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) released today.

Tengku Zafrul reiterated that the government was constantly monitoring developments on the COVID-19 situation and was always ready to increase allocations, as and when needed.

As announced on Monday, the government has allocated RM1.7 billion to combat the spread of COVID-19, channelled via 14 ministries and state governments.

The government, through the Health Ministry, has also channelled an additional allocation of RM44 million to strengthen Sabah's healthcare frontliners.

Apart from that, he said, the government, through the National Security Council, recently approved an additional allocation of RM50 million to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

“Both of these additional provisions are in line with the commitment to ensure preparedness in the face of increasing COVID-19 infections nationwide,” Tengku Zafrul said.

Meanwhile, the minister disclosed that 11.36 million people had successfully received RM50 in their eWallets, amounting to RM567.9 million, under the RM50 eWallet credit programme that ended on Sept 30.

Tengku Zafrul said the eWallet providers such as Boost, GrabPay and Touch n Go eWallet had also contributed benefits in the form of credit matching and various other incentives, amounting to RM433.8 million, in an effort to boost the Malaysian economy.

-- Bernama