KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): A government backbencher has questioned the role and contribution of the Finance Minister's special advisory body since their appointment in February this year.

The Finance Minister's special advisory body, led by Petroliam Nasional Bhd adviser Tan Sri Hassan Marican, comprises other professional groups and economic experts, including FVSB executive chairman Datuk Ahmad Fuad Md Ali, Sunway University professor of economics Dr Yeah Kim Leng, University Malaya professor of economics Prof Ulung Datuk Rajah Rasiah and Sarawak Energy Bhd chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim appointed the advisory body to assist him as the finance minister, further reiterating that the members of would not receive any payment from the government.

In his debate on Budget 2024 in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) urged the government to explain the supervisory body’s role in assisting the government.

"What contributions have they made, or is it just a name without any input sought? Has the government been disregarding their views and contributions?" Fong asked.

While Fong welcomes the establishment of the Budget Monitoring Committee by the government to monitor the Budget 2024, he recommends expanding the scope of responsibility and roles of the special advisory body to prevent public fund leakages in Budget 2024.

"Can the current government effectively address the issue of budget leakage? The prevalence of corruption within the public service system is not just rhetoric but a practical concern. To what extent high-profile and low-profile corruption cases have been successfully resolved?" he said.

It is understood that the the purpose of establishing the Budget Monitoring Committee, by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, was to ensure the proper disbursement of allocations under Budget 2024 for the benefit of the people.

Ahmad Maslan added that the committee would be led by Anwar, who also serves as the finance minister, with members including Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim, Treasury secretary general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, and himself.

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