KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed a Bill to increase expenditure of the Covid-19 fund to RM110bil to maintain the momentum of the nation's economic recovery.

       The Temporary Measures for Government Financing (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed by a voice vote when put to the House.

       The Bill will increase expenditure under Kumpulan Wang Covid-19 fund (KWC) by RM45bil from RM65bil to RM110bil.

       Also increased was the Federal government's statutory debt limit from 60% to 65% of gross domestic product (GDP).

       The Bill was tabled for its second reading by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

       Zafrul said the Bill was necessary to allow aid and assistance to be channelled under several economic packages.

       More to come