TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for a review of Budget 2022, saying that there are many allocations which could be reduced so that the country’s debt burden could be lighter in the future.

       The former prime minister said he was aware that a lot of money was needed to overcome the crisis the country was facing, but at the same time, the government needed to be careful so that spending was reduced and the debt burden not passed onto future generations.

       He said government spending could be reduced in the fields of education, agriculture and telecommunications through new technologies and privatisation efforts.

       “Expenditure could be reduced through privatisation and reliance on technology in several sectors of the economy.

       “It would be better if it is given to telecommunications companies who have long supplied the nation’s telecommunications systems,” he said while debating Budget 2022.

       The Langkawi MP noted that the RM332bil budget was the largest in the nation’s history.

       “From the newspaper reports, I see the smiling faces of Malaysians.

       “I believe if the general election is held tomorrow, the government parties will win big,” he said, and added that with the government’s revenue, which was projected at RM234bil, there was a shortfall of RM98bil to cover the total allocation.

       “Although the government has raised its borrowing ceiling to 65% of the gross domestic product, it would mean more debt for the nation which future administrations would have to bear,” he said.

       Dr Mahathir also criticised the decision to allow former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to leave the country.

       “Yes, all this may not be against the law but it will set a precedent,” he said.