Spend less or face allocation cuts next year, Putrajaya warns ministries

Ministries which do not abide by measures to reduce their operating expenditure as stipulated in the recalibrated Budget 2016 will have their allocation cut next year, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said. He said all ministries had been notified of the reduction in operating expenditure and their adherence to the changes would be closely monitored. Under the budget revision, the government cut RM4 billion in operating expenditure and RM5 billion in development expenditure. "We have notified all ministries, the cuts were not only in terms of reduced transportation costs in the country or abroad, but also in terms of building maintenance and procurements," he told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year celebration hosted by Persatuan Limau Tambun at Desa Tambun Community Centre in Ipoh today. The budget revision was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on January 28, taking into account the current economic situation and slumping oil prices. Ahmad Husni said besides monitoring the budget revision measures, the Finance Ministry would also look seriously into every auditor-general's report, which became the focus of budget management. "I will personally chair the Integrity Committee meetings and I also have directed what was reported by the Auditor-General must be given priority and acted upon as we do not want to hear (recurrent of the weaknesses) in future," he said. "In addition to the sacrifices made by the public sector, it is important for the rakyat to stay united, we need harmony, Malay, Chinese and Indian, Sabah and Sarawak, and avoid being racist," he said. – Bernama, February 14, 2016.]]>