Speaking at a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat today, Khalid said the RM10 billion allocated for Bumiputeras was justified because they were the majority group in the country, but the funding for non-Bumiputeras could be improved.

“This budget can be seen as an ‘election budget’ because it targeted the Malay-Muslim community with a large allocation, while ignoring the rights and needs of non-Bumiputeras when they are also Malaysians and pay tax to the government.

“This (move) is irresponsible. Not only will it instil anger and hate between different races and religions, it also tarnishes the image of Islam because this act of unfairness was supposedly carried out for the sake of Malay-Muslims.”

Khalid said Putrajaya’s stance to support Malay-Muslims was also ironic, as it had only allocated RM29 million for Islamic education and tahfiz institutions, compared with RM100 million the year before under the Pakatan Harapan administration.

He said the large amount of funds for the budget should be distributed accordingly as the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted people of all religions and races.

“We believe that only by practising the principles of a fair budget and showing mercy to all, more so in this critical moment (in time), can we educate the people to produce a prosperous and peaceful country.”