Budget 2021 to focus on approach of recalibrating policies, initiatives - Azmin

Senior Minister cum Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the main focus of the budget was to generate economic growth for the country.

"Certainly, in the post-COVID-19 (era), the challenges will be different as it gives us an approach of how we can recalibrate all policies and initiatives in line with these challenges," he said to the media when met at the presentation of ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System at Menara MITI here, today.

At the event, Mohamed Azmin witnessed the certificate presentation by SIRIM president and group chief executive Prof Ir Dr Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani to the deputy secretary general (Industry) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Seri Norazman Ayob.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Budget 2021 will cover four core themes, namely caring for the people, driving the economy, sustainable living, and enhancing public service delivery.

Tengku Zafrul said among the related areas under the theme are to ensure gross domestic product growth for 2021 and increase foreign direct investment as well as consumer confidence.

Meanwhile, asked on COVID-19 cases which have the possibility of increasing in the future, Mohamed Azmin said the healthcare system in Malaysia is at a good level and would be able to tackle the situation in the event of a second wave of the pandemic.

"If there is an additional spike, I think our system is able to manage the situation, the frontliners are capable. So far, we are confident the country's healthcare system is capable of addressing the situation if the second wave occurs," he said.

Commenting on the ISO 37001:2016 certification standard, Mohamed Azmin said MITI became the fourth ministry in Malaysia and the first ministry under the moderate risk category that had successfully obtained the certificate.

"This proves MITI's commitment in ensuring that the management in the ministry is based on good governance, with integrity, does not carry out any corrupt practices or abuse of power," he said.

The ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System was introduced by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, to provide effective control to avoid, detect and respond to bribery cases, besides promoting a culture of integrity, transparency and compliance to laws.

The certification for the ministry followed the MITI Anti-Bribery Management System Project Development from March 13 to June 26, 2019 to value add and enhance the implementation of MITI's main duties such as to implement trade activities and industry development.