THE federal government’s revenue is projected at RM904.83 billion for the remainder of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from 2023 to 2025, resulting in a deficit of RM257.93 billion, the Economy Ministry said.

For the whole of 2021-2025 period, revenue has been revised upwards to RM1.43 trillion compared with RM1.22 trillion estimated earlier, the ministry said in its Mid-Term Review of the 12MP report released today.

Quoting data from the Finance Ministry, it said during the first two years of 12MP, federal government revenue was RM528.10 billion.

Gross development expenditure is set to be RM264.37 billion for 2023-2025 and RM400.20 billion for 2021-2025, unchanged from its original target.

In the report, the ministry said in enhancing fiscal sustainability, emphasis will be given to strengthen fiscal governance, expand revenue base, retarget subsidies and enhance budget management as well as improve debt and liabilities management towards achieving fiscal deficit target between 3.5% and 3% to the GDP in 2025.

Fiscal management will get better by establishing legislation on fiscal responsibility as well as developing new acts on debt and procurement.

Additionally, it said, revenue management will be improved by widening the tax base as well as adopting technology and digitalisation to enable better collection. – Bernama, September 11, 2023.