Budget 2023 supports efforts to protect Malaysia's interests on world stage

PUTRAJAYA - Foreign Ministry welcomed the Malaysia Madani Budget 2023, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday, noting that it supports the country's efforts in promoting, defending and protecting the country's interests on the world stage.

The ministry (Wisma Putra) in a statement Saturday said these efforts were in line with Malaysia’s Foreign Policy Framework in a Post-Pandemic World and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan for 2021 - 2025.

"Budget 2023 that was tabled in Parliament yesterday (Friday) can strengthen the Ministry’s service delivery towards becoming more responsive, people-oriented and integrous," the statement read.

The Prime Minister had announced a RM388.1 billion Malaysia Madani Budget 2023, an increase from the RM372.3 billion budget presented in October 2022.

Wisma Putra has been allocated RM971.1 million for 2023 compared with RM868.5 million in 2022.

Out of this total, RM809.6 million has been allocated for operating expenditure and RM161.5 million for development expenditure.

"These allocations translate to increases of 6.49 per cent and 49.28 per cent for the operating and development expenditures respectively in 2023, in comparison to the respective expenditures approved for 2022," it said.

The increased allocations for the said operating and development expenditures for 2023 will be utilised to strengthen and defend the country's strategic interests on global issues, such as global peace, food security, sustainable development and climate change, in addition to promoting the Malaysia Madani concept internationally.

The ministry will also intensify efforts in stimulating economic growth by way of facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia and Malaysia’s direct investment abroad (DIA).

"Budget 2023 will also go towards upgrading the ministry’s service infrastructure at home and abroad, improving the welfare of officers, and expanding human capital development programmes," said Wisma Putra. - BERNAMA