KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 20): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will table Budget 2023 in February.

While tabling the temporary budget in Parliament on Tuesday (Dec 20), Anwar — who also holds the Ministry of Finance portfolio — said the government will take a more targeted approach to protect the rakyat and small businesses, while reducing leakages that will benefit the ultra rich and profitable giant companies.

He added that social protections will also be strengthened to protect the vulnerable, including gig workers.

“To drive economic growth and national development, the government will encourage high-value private investment towards generating quality employment opportunities. Besides providing incentives for core sectors, the renewal of public delivery services will be enhanced to faciliate business and fight bureaucracy,” he said.

Anwar added that public spending will be adjusted to ensure inclusive development, especially to shrink the gap between urban areas and rural areas, as well as between states, such as in Sabah and Sarawak.

“A reform of the civil service is also needed to increase integrity and governance to optimise government resources for the benefit of the people.

“National security will also be strengthened, not only from the aspect of border security, but also from the perspective of food and manpower security. Efforts to increase food self-sufficiency will also be prioritised in Budget 2023, in line with the sustainability agenda,” he said.

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