KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government on Tuesday sought parliamentary approval to increase its expenditure under the 2016 budget, saying it had spent some RM3.08bil (US$695.73mil) more than planned.
The government tabled a supplementary bill in parliament on Tuesday, saying RM2.25bil of the additional spending was a contribution to statutory funds.
The ministries of education, foreign affairs, health, transport and women, family and community development also spent more than initially planned.
The election commission spent an additional RM62.8mil last year, according to the spending bill.
In a modified 2016 budget announced last January, Malaysia said it would cut spending by RM9bil ringgit because of lower oil prices.
It estimated spending of RM260.8bil ringgit in its 2017 budget, an increase of 3.4% from the modified 2016 budget. - Reuters
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