In a Facebook post today, its chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the youth wing had presented its list of recommendations to Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz at a two-hour meeting two days ago.

“I hope most of it will be given consideration for inclusion in the budget, to help the people who are facing hardship and struggling to find ways to survive with the poor economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Asyraf had published Umno Youth’s budget recommendations in a 10-page memorandum to the finance ministry on his Facebook page.

Among the proposals is an “expansionary budget”, in which the government should focus more on providing welfare aid to the people.

The youth wing also called for an extension of the loan moratorium for another three to six months, and cash aid for those who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic as well as parents and single mothers in the B40 and M40 groups.

The memorandum also urged the government to refine taxes imposed on the rich throughout the economic recovery, such as a Temporary Wealth Tax, and to make it easier for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to apply for loans.

Last week, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong advised MPs to support the upcoming budget in the interest of the people.

According to the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, the King said the budget will be crucial for the government and authorities to continue combating the pandemic effectively.