THE government is planning to set up a monitoring committee to ensure that every development proposal announced under Budget 2023 can be achieved.

Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan said the committee would monitor each ministry over the RM99 billion funding for development expenditure.

He said the committee should be created to assess to what extent the development proposals and funding have been implemented.

“We also hope that the ministries’ achievements are 100%. For example, if the ministry is allocated RM10 billion, then RM10 billion including operating and development expenditure must be used (for development purposes),” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pontian MP said the government’s proposal to impose an excise duty on liquid or gel products containing nicotine used in electronic cigarettes and vape would provide a new revenue stream for the government.

“We expect to be able to collect as much as RM900 million to RM1 billion if it can be implemented. We also want to plug the leakage in tax revenue due to evasion, especially cigarettes that are not taxed, costing us RM5 billion a year,” he said.

The government has pledged RM388.1 billion in spending for Budget 2023 with RM289.1 billion for operating expenditure, and RM99 billion for development expenditure, including RM2 billion in contingency savings.

It focuses on inclusive and sustainable economic drive, institutional and governance reforms to restore confidence, and social justice to moderate disparities. – Bernama, February 25, 2023.