KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has come forward to explain the alleged error in revenue figures contained in the Budget 2024 fiscal review document.
He said that the copy of the Budget 2024 fiscal review document was initially distributed and put on the table of 222 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 12).
However, the Cabinet had agreed at noon on Friday (Oct 13) to increase the service tax rate (SST) from 6% to 8%.
"So, we did not have enough time to print the document before the tabling of the Budget later that day on Friday (Oct 13)," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) during Question Time.
Awang had asked the Finance Ministry to explain if there was a correction made in the Budget 2024 fiscal review document.
"The figures are huge and the ministry should be alert about this," he asked Awang.
Ahmad Maslan explained that the Cabinet decision to increase the SST from 6% to 8%, would increase the government's estimated revenue to RM3.45bil.
"The increase of revenue by RM3.45bil was decided at noon and the tabling of Budget 2024 was at 4pm.
"We had made the correction and the documents distributed to all 222-MPs in the Dewan Rakyat were the correct version.
"The document made available on the Finance Ministry website had been amended earlier so we did not have to notify the MPs.
"The Budget 2024 speech also did not have any errors," he added.
On the question of when there would be a replacement for the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister post, Ahmad said that Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali would be temporarily taking on the role.
"He is the acting minister, so it does not mean there is no minister for the post," he said.
Awang had earlier asked the reason why there was no replacement for the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister while the rakyat was suffering due to the high cost of living.
The post became vacant following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in July.
