KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described Budget 2017 as one that takes all segments of society into consideration.

“Despite economic exhaustion and global economic uncertainties, Malaysia remains able to deliver the best Budget to the public. The Prime Minister-cum-Minister of Finance takes every class of the society into account in drafting the Budget, this shows that all sectors have been given focus,” he said at a press conference at Parliament lobby today.

“Therefore, on behalf of my colleagues in the Cabinet, I wish to congratulate him for drafting such a wise Budget, despite circumstances like the fall in oil revenue,” he added.

In relation to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), which has been allocated RM12.8 billion under Budget 2017, Ahmad Zahid said he is glad that domestic security remains a priority this year.

“The security sectors remain prioritised, with the Royal Malaysia Police being allocated a significant portion of the Budget, and RELA also received RM80 million just for procurement of uniform,” he said.

When asked to justify the Budget allocation to the Prime Minister’s Department, Zahid merely said that the department does not equate to the Prime Minister’s Office, and the department is constituted of 90 agencies.

During the presentation, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did not provide the actual amount being allocated to the ministry under his purview.