Budget 2018 highlights at a glance

Proposed budget stands at RM280.25 billion, a rise of 7.5% from 2017 2018 revenue collection to expand around 6.4% to RM239.9 billion Fiscal deficit expected at 2.8% of GDP for 2018, compared with 3.0% this year RM234.25 billion for operating expenditure, RM46 billion for development RM6.5 billion for rural infrastructure development RM6.8 billion for BR1M Individual income tax rates reduction of 2 percentage points for income tax band between RM20,000 to RM70,000. RM1,500 special payment for the country’s 1.6 million public servants, of which RM1,000 to be paid in January 2018 while the balance during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. RM750 special payment for government retirees,of which RM500 will be paid in January 2018 while the balance during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Initial savings fund of RM200 for every Malaysian baby born between Jan 1, 2018 and 2022 through the PNB Unit Trust Scheme to be named Amanah Dana Anak Malaysia or ADAM50. RM2.2 billion for scholarships via the Public Service Department, Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health. RM190 million to upgrade 2,000 classes into 21st Century Smart Classrooms. 14 new sports complexes costing RM112 million to be built nationwide. RM61.6 billion for the education sector, of which RM654 million is for construction of four pre-schools, nine Permata centres, 48 primary, secondary schools and vocational colleges, and a matriculation centre. 20% discount for full settlement of PTPTN loans until Dec 31, 2018. RM4.9 billion to implement the TVET Malaysia Masterplan. RM6.5 billion to provide basic infrastructure in the rural areas. RM1 billion through MCMC to develop communication infrastructure and broadband facilities in Sabah and Sarawak. The government is to reimburse cess money paid by settlers for rubber and oil palm replanting schemes from 2010 to 2016. RM14 billion is allocated for MAF, almost RM9 billion for the police, over RM900 million for MMEA to increase security at borders and enhance public order. 10,000 housing units to be constructed for police personnel under the 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing-PDRM. RM250 million for ESSCom to enhance security controls at Sabah and Sarawak borders. RM2.5 billion highest allocation ever for higher education scholarship and training programmes under Mara, benefiting nearly 90,000 students. RM3.9 billion for goods and transport subsidies including cooking gas, flour, cooking oil, electricity and toll. 50 Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) outlets to be transformed to KRIM 2.0 in 2018, additional 3,000 outlets within 3 years. Employers allowed to hire foreign domestic helpers directly from nine selected countries. RM2.2 billion for construction of 17,300 PPR homes; 3,000 People Friendly Homes under SPNB, and 210,000 PR1MA homes with prices of RM250,000 and below. RM27 billion to provide quality healthcare services. RM1.7 billion for the welfare of senior citizens, people with disabilities and children. From fifth-month of pregnancy onwards, working women will be allowed to leave work an hour earlier, along with their husband on condition the couple are working within the same location. 9,800 village heads and ‘tok batins’ to receive one-off special payment of RM1,500 of which RM1,000 will be paid in January 2018 while the rest during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.