HANOI: The government has the budget for the Free Breakfast Programme to be implemented in all primary schools next year, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said the government could use the consolidated fund from the various ministries and agencies to implement the programme to benefit pupils in government and government-aided primary schools.

Asked whether the government would use part of the soda tax revenue to fund the programme, Dr Mahathir said all proposals would be looked into.

“All taxes collected will be distributed to the ministries and agencies according to need. If there is a need for an additional allocation, we will consider. If we can afford it, we will provide it.

“But we must remember that the previous government left behind much debt and the present government has to repay it,” he told Malaysian journalists after concluding his three-day official visit to Vietnam yesterday.

Asked about the perfect menu for the pupils’ breakfast, Dr Mahathir said there were many healthy menus which were suitable for the programme.

On Monday, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik announced that about 2.7 million pupils in government and government-aided primary schools would receive free breakfast from January.

It was reported that the government would have to spend between RM2bil and RM3bil annually on the programme, depending on the menu.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019...srbgmmQT0xLr.99

Why should B40 students' breakfast cost lower than ALL students?