The health ministry is allocated the second largest amount of RM41.2 billion, an increase of RM5 billion – the biggest increase among ministries, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in delivering the 2024 budget today.

The allocations for the two ministries amount to a quarter of the total budget, with 14.9% going to the education ministry and 10.5% to health.

Anwar said a total of RM5.5 billion will be set aside for acquiring medicines, reagents, and vaccines.

“I have instructed that the procurement of medicine must be closely vetted to minimise wastage, and we should seek medicines from the region, rather than relying exclusively on Europe and the United States.”

“Malaysia recorded the highest school closure rate compared to other countries in the region during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, there are some students who are still left behind and in need of further guidance. To address this, RM100 million has been allocated for a holistic approach to assist these affected students,” he said.

He said a total of RM1.9 billion would be allocated for upgrading and maintaining schools across the country of which RM930 million would be for improving 450 dilapidated schools, which includes 185 projects in Sarawak and 155 in Sabah.

An allocation of RM1 billion will be dedicated to maintenance of all schools, including special education schools, with a focus on the needs of autistic students.