“We are impressed with the commitment to education and we think this is very important given where the country is.

“With its aspiration to become a higher-income developed country, it will have to invest in ways for children to do much better, especially in Maths and Science,” he told Bernama News Channel in an exclusive interview.

He noted the importance of these children having the right skills to compete with Malaysia’s neighbours.

The education ministry is the biggest recipient in the Budget 2019, with an allocation of RM60.2 billion or 19.1% of total government spending.

On taxes, Firas welcomed the sin tax and new sugar tax.

“I think that is a positive development because I know this country is going to face this megatrend of population ageing down the road. With the ageing population come all sorts of chronic diseases.”

However, there may be short-term effects on stakeholders related to the beverages industry, he noted.