THE government has been urged to streamline its agencies under several ministries to reduce operating costs. 

Simpang Renggam MP Hasni Mohammad said one of the biggest contributors to operating expenses is the higher emoluments in 2024. 

“Is the government prepared to streamline the government agencies under several ministries? Perhaps there needs to be governance based on achievements among government agencies so that every allocation given to the agency gets the expected returns and results that have a high impact,” he said during the debate on Budget 2024 in Dewan Rakyat today. 

Budget 2024, themed “Economic Reforms to Empower the People”, involves an allocation of RM393.8 billion, which is the highest budget ever presented with RM303.8 billion for operating expenses. 

Operating expenditure for 2024 involves RM90 billion for development costs and RM2 billion in contingency savings. 

Regarding the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), Hasni said the funding of the plan, involving as much as RM1.3 trillion over 20 years, needed serious consideration. 

He said large allocations needed to be given to make the plan a success because Budget 2024 had allocated RM2 billion through the national energy transition fund. 

“However, for the years 2023 to 2029, the government needs RM240 billion to fund NETR and half of it covers projects that are marginally bankable or yield below market return. 

“So, the question is whether the RM2 billion is enough to be a catalyst and create excitement for private funds to finance this NETR. Perhaps the government can explain the specific programmes and initiatives that can be implemented using the initial funds in detail,” said Hasni. – Bernama, October 25, 2023.