ALL allocations for initiatives and assistance announced in Budget 2023 are ready to be utilised, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

He said in this regard, Barisan Nasional (BN) needs to win the next general election to enable all the initiatives and aid to be implemented as proposed in the budget.

“The people have to ensure that BN wins (the general election). The money is already there and ready to be utilised (for the Budget 2023 initiatives),” he said at the Negri Sembilan Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia Village Feast at Felda Palong, near Jempol, today.

Also present were Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Jempol MP Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz tabled Budget 2023, which is the country’s largest ever with allocations totalling RM372.3 billion.

Ismail also reminded the people not to be easily taken in by the promises contained in the opposition’s manifesto for the coming polls.

“From our experience with the opposition (when they ruled for 22 months after the last general election), it could not fulfil its promises like reducing petrol prices and abolishing toll,” he said.

“When they could not do so, they said a manifesto is not like the Quran, which cannot be changed. So I would like to remind you all not to forget the promises that PH (Pakatan Harapan) failed to fulfil.”

On the performance of Khairy as health minister, Ismail said if he remains the prime minister after the polls, he will appoint the Rembau MP to the same post.

“In Negri Sembilan, because of KJ (Khairy Jamaluddin) being the health minister, the government has approved the Infectious Disease Institute of Malaysia in Bandar Enstek, Nilai, with an allocation of RM600 million.

“Losing this minister (Khairy) will be a loss because when another person gets the portfolio, the project might be cancelled.” – Bernama, October 8, 2022.