Budget 2021: No compromise when it comes to protecting the people - PM Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not compromise on the matter of ensuring that the people are protected, and this is evident from the record allocations provided in Budget 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the government had drawn up a budget based on the principle of protecting the people and businesses and helping them to rebound and secure a more resilient and sustainable future.

Muhyiddin said various measures have been taken not only to ensure the security and well-being of the people now but also to help them build a more solid future.

"Budget 2021 totalling RM322.5 billion, which was just tabled in Parliament today, is a manifestation of the Prihatin Rakyat concept that is strongly advocated by the Perikatan Nasional government.

"Although the country is in a difficult and challenging situation, the people’s welfare will never be neglected... this is the determination of the government for the COVID-19 pandemic to be effectively tackled, to fulfil the objective of ensuring the people’s well-being, business continuity and economic resilience,” he said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin said the Budget also reflected the aspirations and needs of the people and businesses, as it was formulated based on more than 6,000 responses gathered through various platforms and engagement sessions.

Apart from this, he said, the government is also committed to giving opportunities and maintaining jobs to ensure the people’s well-being, adding that direct aid under the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) is expected to benefit 8.1 million people with an allocation of RM6.5 billion.

Muhyiddin said the government was aware that the people were most worried about their health and how to maintain their sources of income to support themselves and their families.

"Budget 2021 will also keep up the momentum gained after the implementation of four stimulus packages previously totalling RM305 billion under PRIHATIN, PRIHATIN PKS+, PENJANA and KITA PRIHATIN," he said.

He said that under Budget 2021, various forms of assistance, subsidy and incentive worth a total of RM28 billion had been provided by the government, especially to tackle cost of living problems and protect the welfare of vulnerable groups.

"The government continues to take note of the people's concerns about their survival, especially in terms of employment and their source of livelihood; hence the government is determined to achieve the target of creating 500,000 new job opportunities through various programmes including upskilling and retraining.

"In this regard, the government has also announced the formation of the National Employment Council, which I myself will chair, to coordinate all initiatives by the relevant ministries and government agencies," he said.

Muhyiddin said Budget 2021 took a targeted approach to ensure people who were really in need receive continuous government support and assistance regardless of race, ideology, or where they were.

"This targeted approach is taken into account in allowing the withdrawal of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 1 savings for those who have lost their jobs and are badly affected.

"Similarly, the targeted repayment assistance has also been improved by the banking sector in terms of payment flexibility for identified borrowers," he said.

He said for the sake of business continuity, the government would also ensure that the business and economic sectors continue to be driven through various specific measures that not only provide support

in financing but also in improving the business ecosystem in general.

"I am confident that Malaysia will remain a destination of choice for foreign and domestic investors," he said.

Muhyiddin said efforts to ensure the country's economic resilience are also among the main focus

of the government, in which it is committed to implementing an expansionary budget while continuing to maintain fiscal discipline, thus also giving emphasis to efforts in strengthening public service delivery.

He said the principles to protect the people, to rebound and secure their future were also intended to support the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

"This Vision will be an indicator of the direction of government policies in bridging the economic gap so that the country's prosperity is shared by people from all walks of life," he said.

He said Budget 2021 was part of the government's promise to ensure all Malaysians achieve genuine well-being and prosperity, and that every citizen continues to progress and prosper.

"The government calls on Malaysians to work together and uphold the spirit of solidarity

in our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and current economic hardships," he said.

-- BERNAMA