KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The development expenditure ceiling will be cut by RM40 billion or 15% to RM220 billion from the original allocation of RM260 billion under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), as part of plans to consolidate the country's fiscal position.

This is necessary, taking into account lower government revenue, no thanks to volatile global crude oil prices during the review period and the abolishment of the goods and services tax in September this year.

"Public investment will focus on strengthening public infrastructure and developing economic enablers," said the Mid-Term Review of the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) released today.

The review said the focus will be given priority to the people-centric projects. With that, over 4,000 ongoing projects will still be continued across the nation including the building of affordable houses, schools, hospitals and roads.

During the review period, only RM92 billion was allocated for development expenditure, lower than the original target in both nominal and real terms.

Moreover, the disbursement recorded a shortfall, where 94.4% of total allocation or RM86.9 billion was expended. This shortfall was mainly due to delays in securing land and finalisation of project design despite initiatives to further improve the project management process.

These initiatives include the introduction of a cost-benefit index for project selection and the continuation of compulsory value management process for projects valued above RM50 million.  

According to the review, development expenditure continued to be financed mainly through debt as current account balance was insufficient.

Although the level of federal government debt rose with the continuous fiscal deficit, debt as a percentage to nominal gross domestic product reduced from 54.5% in 2015 to 50.8% in 2017.

However, this level of debt excluded contingent liabilities as well as future commitment of payments for projects carried out through public-private partnerships.