KUALA LUMPUR: The country's total operating expenditure last year stood at RM292.693 billion, according to the Auditor-General's report for 2022.
In the report, it was stated that the final budget approved for operating expenditure was RM236.966 billion, while the operating expenditure incurred was RM292.693 billion.
"The surplus amount of RM1.664 billion in the Consolidated Revenue Account was transferred to the Development Fund, which made the total operating expenditure amounting to RM294.357 billion."
The Finance Ministry recorded the highest operating expenditure among the ministries, amounting to RM120.174 billion or 40.8 per cent from the federal government's total operating expenditure last year.
This was an increase of RM47.125 billion or 64.5 per cent as compared to RM73.049 billion in 2021.
The significant increase in the Finance Ministry's expenditure was contributed by subsidy expenditure on petroleum products, amounting to RM45.184 billion, an increase of RM35.161 billion or 350.8 per cent as compared to RM10.023 billion in 2021.
Based on the categories of expenditure, grants and fixed charges were recorded as the highest expenditure amounting to RM170.243 billion or 57.8 per cent from total operating expenditure.
"Emolument expenditure incurred was RM87.789 billion or 29.8 per cent from total operating expenditure in 2022.
"An amount of RM75.501 billion or 86 per cent was incurred by the Education Ministry (RM40.319 billion); Health Ministry (RM17.406 billion), Home Ministry (RM9.937 billion) and Defence Ministry at RM7.839 billion.