KUANTAN: The efficiency of the country's administration has allowed Malaysia to overcome various challenges and gear up towards economic recovery.
Caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the country has been enduring trying times lately, with the Covid-19 pandemic, global geopolitical crisis and climate change, which has impacted the food supply chain.
"The cooperation shown by 'Keluarga Malaysia', along with the country's effective administration has allowed the government to overcome challenges and focus on economic recovery.
"Today, the economy is the best in Southeast Asia, with gross domestic product growth of 8.9 per cent in the second quarter this year, compared with five per cent recorded in the first quarter.
"The unemployment rate in August this year is 3.7 per cent, compared with 4.6 per cent recorded in August last year.
"Malaysia is also ranked the world's 18th most peaceful country and second in Asia according to the Global Peace Index 2022," he said when opening the Pahang Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations Tour (AKM) series here today.
Present were caretaker Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Ismail Sabri said to help cushion the cost of living, the government allocated RM77.7 billion for subsidies this year, the largest amount in the country's history.
From the amount, he said RM41.7 billion will be channelled for petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas, RM3 billion for cooking oil, RM5.8 billion for electricity, RM25.7 billion for various forms of aid and RM1.5 billion for other subsidies.
Ismail Sabri said the 2023 Budget, with an allocation of RM372.3 billion -- the largest ever national budget tabled at Parliament -- was not merely a manifesto.
"The country has enough funds to implement(budget) for the people and ensure no one is being sidelined.
"All the initiatives (announced during the 2023 Budget) will be carried out if the government I lead is given the mandate in the 15th General Election (GE15).
"This is to allow the budget to be retabled in the Dewan Rakyat, debated and approved," he said.
In Pahang, Ismail Sabri said the government has allocated RM1.307 billion to upgrade and maintain federal roads across the state, which will help pave the way to open new areas, boost economic growth and improve the living standards of the locals.
As part of the preparations to face the northeast monsoon season, he said RM1.8 billion has been set aside to address coastal erosion and mitigating floods in the state.
On AKM in Pahang, Ismail Sabri said the programme will resume if given the mandate in GE15.
"This could be the last destination before GE15 and InsyaAllah (God willing) if given the opportunity to lead the government again, then the programme will be continued after the polls."