ALL Malaysians will benefit from the Budget 2023 tabled in parliament in early October as Putrajaya ensured that no one is left out, Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

Although parliament was dissolved merely three days after Budget 2023 was tabled, the caretaker prime minister has taken a swipe at the opposition, saying the budget is nothing like the manifesto promises given by the opposition.

Ismail claimed the opposition had “fooled” many into believing its manifesto pledge made during the 2018 general election (GE), saying it was nothing but “empty promises”.

“Budget 2023 is unlike the manifesto made by the opposition, which turned out to deceive the people in the last GE14.

“In GE14, the young people were cheated by a manifesto of empty promises, where PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) loans were not abolished, job opportunities were not created, and tens of thousands of youngsters were thrown out of work,” the Bera incumbent said in a Facebook post. 

Ismail said under his leadership, he made sure that Budget 2023 was comprehensive and left no one marginalised.

He said the exemption on loan repayment for PTPTN borrowers who manage to obtain a class degree was extended to the M40 and T20 groups instead of only being for the B40 group.

He also said youth who are first-time homebuyers but do not have payslips can get a guarantee from the government through the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme.

“Employment opportunities are also provided through the JaminKerja programme implemented by the government,” he added.

Ismail said for the first time in the nation’s history, expectant mothers also benefit from Budget 2023.

Under Budget 2023, it was announced that women from households receiving Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia who give birth in 2023 will be eligible to receive RM500 in aid under the CahayaMata Keluarga Malaysia programme. 

Although Budget 2023 was not debated and approved following the dissolution of parliament, Ismail expects it to be presented again before year-end. 

He said he is committed to implement Budget 2023 initiatives that have been announced if he stays on as the prime minister after the GE. – October 21, 2022.