KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced several additional initiatives in Budget 2023.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister when tabling the Supply Bill 2023 or the national budget for the second reading in the Dewan Negara today said that the new additional initiative involves Aidilfitri assistance, an extension of individual tax relief and the provision of housing credit through the Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan (SJKP).
"Given the current situation...I looked into the cohorts which had not benefitted from the previous initiative and found that they were still struggling, especially during Ramadan and Aidilfitri.
"So, the government has agreed to give another RM200 in the Special Aidilfitri Assistance to 850,000 rubber smallholders, paddy farmers and fishermen, in addition to what was announced before. This will cost RM170 million," he said.
Anwar said the increase is the biggest aid the government has ever given to fishermen, paddy farmers and rubber smallholders.
In Budget 2023 tabled on Feb 24, the government announced the Special Aidilfitri Assistance of RM300 per month for fishermen, RM200 per month for rice farmers for a period of three months per season as well as increasing the monsoon contribution from RM600 to RM800 for a period of four months to rubber smallholders.
Apart from that, he said 200,000 volunteers under the Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela), Civil Defence Force, as well as police and fire volunteers, will also receive RM300 for Aidilfitri.
Anwar also announced the extension of individual income tax relief of up to RM8,000 for net savings in the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) until 2024.
"This was decided after hearing public concerns and complaints made to the government (after yesterday's announcement). This will incur losses of RM250 million per year in the government's revenue, but will benefit approximately 400,000 taxpayers," he said.
Yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim was quoted as saying that starting this year, taxpayers who contribute to the SSPN will no longer be eligible to claim individual tax relief of up to RM8,000.
The prime minister also announced that starting April 1 this year, the government will expand the target of the SJKP housing credit to fixed and irregular income groups to have their first home, an initiative that is expected to benefit the B40 and M40 groups.
Under Budget 2023, the SJKP housing credit scheme had been improved by increasing the financing guarantee fund from RM3 billion to RM5 billion to help first-time home buyers, especially those with no fixed income.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government would also give priority to the filling of public service positions in critical sectors, especially health and education, and this is expected to involve an additional expenditure of up to RM800 million this year.
He said Budget 2023 including the additional initiatives proved the Unity Government's commitment to bring changes to Malaysia, and also proof of the government's determination to improve governance to ensure the well-being of the people as a whole.
As it is indeed a great responsibility, he said all quarters should play a role to make it a success.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Mar 29 2023
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced several additional initiatives in Budget 2023. - BERNAMA/Filepic
Lelaki maut kereta terbabas langgar pokok di Manjung
Mangsa disahkan maut di lokasi oleh pihak Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia.
Durian segar Malaysia di China habis dijual tidak sampai 24 jam
Tidak sampai 24 jam, hampir 40 tan durian segar pertama Malaysia ke China yang dipasarkan pada 26 Ogos lepas di outlet peruncitan terpilih di enam wilayah negara Tembok Besar itu habis terjual.
Keldai akaun ditahan sebabkan kerugian hampir RM60,000
Polis menahan lelaki berumur 58 tahun dipercayai keldai akaun kepada sindiket penipuan yang menawarkan kerja sambilan tidak wujud secara dalam talian sehingga menyebabkan mangsa kerugian RM59,569 baru-baru ini.
Lebih 200 maut akibat taufan Helene di AS
Seramai 200 orang disahkan maut sehingga Jumaat selepas Taufan Helene melanda beberapa negeri di tenggara Amerika Syarikat (AS), menjadikannya ribut paling membahayakan kedua yang melanda AS dalam lebih setengah abad.
Taiwan laksana operasi pembersihan selepas taufan Krathon
Taiwan sedang giat membersihkan kerosakan akibat banjir dan angin kencang selepas Taufan Krathon melanda bandar pelabuhan utama, sementara penduduk di sebahagian besar kawasan lain di pulau itu kembali bekerja dan pasaran kewangan dibuka semula.
AS dakwa Rusia, Iran dan China guna AI sabotaj pilihan raya
Amerika Syarikat (AS) berdepan ancaman dari Rusia, Iran dan China, yang didakwa cuba mempengaruhi Pilihan Raya Presiden 2024 dengan menggunakan kecerdasan buatan (AI) untuk menyebarkan maklumat palsu serta mencetuskan perpecahan.
Taiwan laksana operasi pembersihan selepas taufan Krathon
Taiwan sedang giat membersihkan kerosakan akibat banjir dan angin kencang selepas Taufan Krathon melanda bandar pelabuhan utama.
Malaysia sokong Pakistan jadi rakan dialog penuh dengan ASEAN
Menurut Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia berada dalam kedudukan untuk membuka peluang kepada hasrat Pakistan dalam menjadi rakan dialog.
Deklarasai Doha seru gencatan senjata di Gaza
Deklarasi Doha, yang dikeluarkan pada Sidang Kemuncak Dialog Kerjasama Asia Ketiga dengan tumpuan pada 'Diplomasi Sukan', menekankan keperluan mendesak untuk gencatan senjata segera dan menyeluruh di Gaza.
3 hospital di Lubnan henti operasi, rosak akibat serangan Israel
Tiga hospital di Lubnan, termasuk satu di pinggir kawasan selatan Beirut mengumumkan pemberhentian operasi pada Jumaat susulan pengeboman berterusan oleh Israel.