GEORGE TOWN: Frontliners were full of praises for Budget 2022, describing it as an appreciation gesture for them.

       Lebuh Pantai fire station chief Muzamer Mohd Salleh, 30, described Budget 2022 as one that would send help across Malaysia for those who really need it.

       Health is wealth: (From left) Kapt Mohd Fadhil, Dr Kuljit and Dr Chew are happy with the portion allocated to improve healthcare services nationwide.

       “The RM700 special aid for 1.3 million civil servants is good news. Thank you to the Federal Government that appreciates what we have done,” he said.

       Muzamer also expressed his appreciation for the early school aid of RM150 to help parents like him.

       Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, while tabling Budget 2022, said a total of RM450mil has been allocated for early school aid for three million students, and each student will receive RM150.

       It is an increase from RM100 previously.

       Civil Defence Force Kapt Mohd Fadhil Fahmi Zaini, 35, praised the government for the special aid to civil servants even though the country is facing an uncertain economic phase caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “I would say this Budget is the way the government wants to thank us,” Kapt Mohd Fadhil said.

       Penang Hospital doctor Dr IIse Chew, 28, said he is happy that RM32.4bil has been allocated to the Health Ministry, which shows the importance of public healthcare.

       “I am grateful for that. As a frontliner, vaccinations have proven itself over and over again to be crucially important.

       “Lives have been saved. There is stark contrast between those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated when it comes to recovery. The allocation of RM2bil on vaccines alone gives me assurance of the direction we are heading,” said the doctor who runs the Docs on Vacay Facebook page.

       Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said the association is happy that the government has allocated RM4bil for Covid-19 management, which includes the buying of services from private hospitals and also for vaccination, particularly booster doses.

       “The strengthening of public healthcare will be good to serve patients who require care in public hospitals and also timely for the healthcare sector,” he said.

       He, however, said the allocation of RM20mil to promote medical tourism should have been more as activities to bring back medical tourists in 2022 is key for the government to increase revenue for all stakeholders.