Guan Eng hints that govt will fulfil more promises in 2019 Budget
Finance minister hints that Pakatan Harapan will deliver on more promises in budget on Nov 2
FINANCE Minister Lim Guan Eng has hinted that the people can expect the Pakatan Harapan government to deliver on more of its promises come budget day.
Without divulging details, he said: “It will be on Nov 2. You have got to wait.”
Saying that strengthening the country’s economy was the top priority, he said the government would be keeping a close eye on the country’s fiscal deficit.
“For this year, the fiscal deficit can be maintained at 2.8 per cent of the gross domestic product, despite a RM300 million widening (increasing to RM40.1 billion from RM39.8 million),” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview.
This year marks the ninth consecutive year of fiscal consolidation from a peak of 6.7 per cent in 2009.
Lim, however, was confident as the government had embarked on cost structure rationalisation for projects worth a total of RM10 billion, which would result in additional revenue.
“At the same time, we have got RM5.4 billion from the increase in petrol prices, as well as better profitability from Khazanah (Nasional Bhd), Petronas and other agencies.”
Lim had, on Thursday, assured top fund managers of the country’s stability during a meeting hosted by CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.
“We talked about prospects and fiscal measures,” he said, adding that the government would ensure Malaysia had a stronger current account balance.
CIMB group chief executive officer
Tengku Datuk Seri
Zafrul Aziz had uploaded some photos of the meeting to Instagram with the caption: “Engaging with the investment community in a transparent manner is vital to promote market confidence and good governance.”
In its annual report, Bank Negara Malaysia said it expected the country’s current account balance to register a surplus of two to three per cent of the gross national income for this year.
Promising that the government would be steadfast in its promise of transparency and good governance, Lim said the administration was working towards having less interference in government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies.
“We hope to have that. We (will) try not to have members of parliament on the board.”
But, he said, the government had a “full plate” and would tackle one issue at a time, which was why the Council of Eminent Persons is important.
“We cannot handle all the meetings. So, they (the council) are doing it and will provide their recommendations to the government.”
“To kick-start the cleaning process, communication has been sent out that all political appointees had to go (leave). There is no question about that.
“I know there are some political appointees who (are) saying: ‘I have been professional in executing my duties’.
“Yes, but you are still active and holding (certain positions) in the party. So, you have got to go. Resign,” he said.