Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad questioned the Unity Government's conduct in proposing the RM388.1 billion 2023 Budget.
According to Berita Harian, Dr. Mahathir, who served as Prime Minister twice, described it as the country's largest budget to date and questioned where the funding would come from given the country's existing debt of RM1.5 trillion.
He explained that it was because national revenue collection was less than RM90 billion.
"This budget is pretty large... the largest in the country's history.
"There is a lot of money to spend, but where does it come from? The collection from the government's 'fund' is less than RM90 billion.
"As a result, I suspect that they will borrow. We have now in debt of RM1.5 trillion. "This is going to be just another debt," he explained.
He made the remarks at the Perdana Leadership Foundation's press conference for the PUTRA Membership Card and Advisory Certificate Presentation Ceremony. Datuk Ibrahim Ali, President of PUTRA, and Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Mohd Yunus, his Deputy, were also present.
Dr. Mahathir stated that settling the RM1.5 trillion national debt will take years. He stated that the government is currently paying RM40 billion in interest on the debt.
"That isn't a tree. It's a large tree. We also want greater debt. Consider what will happen to the country "He stated.
Berita Harian earlier stated that the Federal Government's revenue is likely to fall by 1% to RM291.5 billion in 2023 since non-tax revenue is expected to fall due to decreased global crude oil prices.
It promises increased development funding and significant handouts, particularly for poor and middle-income groups, civil personnel, and insolvent individuals.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the RM386 billion Budget 2023 last week.
According to New Straits Time, this year's annual bill is higher than the previous all-time record of RM372.3 billion under Anwar's predecessor Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's initial 2023 Budget, which was not passed last October.
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