RM6.2B REALLOCATED FROM 9 MINISTRIES

Bill to combat abuse of power, misappropriation of people’s money

THE Supply (Reallocation of Appropriated Expenditure) Bill 2018 aims to reform national institutions as well as strengthen checks and balances against abuse of power and misappropriation of the people’s money.

The bill, tabled for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, will see a reallocation of RM6.2 billion from several ministries’ expenditures for this purpose.

The nine ministries involved include the Primary Industries Ministry (formerly known as the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry); Rural Development Ministry (Rural and Regional Development Ministry) and Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry (Natural Resources and Environment Ministry).

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who tabled the bill, said the reallocation was necessary following the government’s move to restructure its ministries.

He said the government had trimmed down the number of agencies and departments in the ministries to 40 from about 90.

The restructuring, he said, would involve transferring programmes and agencies under the previous ministries, and their allocations, to the new ministries.

He said the bill would streamline the organisation and functions of the ministries so that they could better focus on their tasks to help the people.

He said his ministry issued restriction warrants on the ministries’ balance of allocation as of July 1, which amounted to more than RM3 billion.

“The restriction is under paragraph 13(3)(b) of the Financial Procedure Act 1957 (Act 61). The total amount of reallocation of expenditure that was restricted amounted to RM3,065,113,896. The amount would be reallocated to the other ministries that would take charge of the programmes.”

Lim said the move fulfilled the Pakatan Harapan administration’s aim of reforming national institutions by improving existing checks and balances to prevent widespread abuse of power and misappropriation of the people’s money in the future.

“For example, the portfolios of the prime minister and finance minister are no longer held by the same person. The prime minister also does not have any other portfolio.

“This rearrangement and reallocation is a manifestation of Pakatan Harapan’s reform promise to ensure and boost the potential of the people, government and Malaysia.

“This bill is testament to the new Federal Government’s aims. This is an administration that fulfils its promises.”

Lim said this would lead to ease of implementing of policies and result in giving better service to the people.

He said this was in line with the government’s aim of lessening the people’s burden, boosting fair and equitable economic growth, and building a Malaysia that was inclusive, moderate and prosperous on the world stage.

“This rearrangement will encourage cooperation between the 4Ps — which are private, public, people and professionals, or between the private sector, the public service, citizens and professionals — to resolve issues faced by the people.”

He said 4P was part of efforts by the Federal Government to create an “entrepreneurial state”, where nobody worked alone in their field.

“Close cooperation between the 4Ps would enable all parties to share information quickly, function more effectively and be more inclusive in a complex plural society.

“In this collaboration, the government has a role in spearheading long-term economic growth by providing infrastructure to support basic needs and wants of the private sector, the people and professionals.”

The bill was passed yesterday. Lim said the Federal Government was in the midst of preparing Budget 2019, expected to be tabled in November.