Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today stressed that adjustments to operating expenditure will not affect critical sectors such as healthcare and education. He said the recruitment of new doctors and nurses, as well as the construction of clinics, will not be affected, while school construction projects, including the addition of new classrooms to accommodate student intake, will proceed as planned.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated that only the scope of more luxurious hospitals will be scaled back. He made these remarks to reporters after the Prime Minister's monthly assembly with ministry staff at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). Anwar further clarified that although the Education Ministry's expenditure has been reduced, the construction of new classrooms remains unaffected to accommodate current student intake.

Anwar criticised certain parties for reacting hastily without basing their views on facts regarding the government's spending restructuring measures. He explained that cost-saving efforts will focus on expenditures deemed excessive, such as overseas courses, events at luxury hotels, and development projects exceeding actual needs. Courses that can be conducted locally will now be held within the country, and official events are encouraged to take place at ministry premises to reduce costs.

On April 29, the Finance Ministry confirmed that guidelines had been issued to ministries and agencies to restructure operating expenditure. This move is part of a prudent fiscal management approach to optimise government resources and ensure continued support for the people amidst challenges from global supply disruptions and rising subsidy commitments.