The allocation is provided to ensure the best infrastructure and learning facilities in all schools

by S BIRRUNTHA

THE Education Ministry (MoE) continues to receive the highest allocation of RM55.2 billion under the revised Budget 2023 compared to RM52.6 billion in 2022.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a total of RM2.3 billion from the allocation is provided to ensure the best infrastructure and learning facilities in all schools.

He added that it covers the allocation of RM920 million to upgrade buildings and infrastructure in 380 poor schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, through a special procurement method for urgency. 

In addition, an allocation of RM900 million for the work of maintaining the facilities of all types of schools including national schools, religious schools, national-type schools, Chinese and Tamil schools.

“It includes work such as repairing toilets, school wiring, drainage, replacing dilapidated dormitory and classroom furniture and equipment,” he said during the retabling of Budget 2023 in Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the Health Ministry is given the second largest allocation of RM36.3 billion compared to RM32.4 billion last year.

According to him, the main component of the allocation to the sector involved the procurement of medical supplies, vaccine reagents and consumables.

He noted that this also includes an allocation of RM3 billion for new permanent appointments and contracts for more than 1,500 medical, dental and pharmacy officers who have been waiting for so long.

“The government will also try to improve congestion in public health facilities, including by outsourcing patients from overcrowded hospitals to other hospitals.

“The government will also hold a number of schemes including university and military hospitals, and equipment will be provided to help overcrowding hospitals such as Selayang Hospital,” he said.

On the transport and infrastructure sector, Anwar said the government will continue with the initiative of My50 monthly pass for the benefit of nearly 180,000 users.

He added that the government will also introduce a MyBAS50 unlimited travel pass on a pilot basis, for the benefit of the people of Johor Baru under the Stage Bus Service Transformation programme.

He also said a total of RM150 million will be allocated to the SBST programme including the expansion of the implementation in the cities of Melaka, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

On the Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project, Anwar said the government will review the details of the project to ensure the best value and achieving additional savings of at least under RM45 billion.

“This effort is in line with the reform management to reduce procurement costs to achieve savings that can be redistributed for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Initially, the MRT3 project was estimated to cost RM68 billion in 2018, however last year, the project cost was estimated at RM50 billion when the project procurement process started.