The government has tabled a Supplementary Supply Bill today, requesting permission from Parliament to spend an additional RM13.7 billion.

NONE The Bill was tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin ( right ) for the first reading today with the largest portion - RM11.2 billion - allocated for ‘treasury general services’.

It is believed that the vaguely titled ‘treasury general services’ is related to pre-election spending, including the RM1.5 million additional allocation for all BN MPs.

Under treasury general services, as much as RM7.465 billion was allocated for subsidy payment claims on petroleum products and another RM3.288 billion  spent to accommodate “additional requirements” for emoluments for hiking wages from 7 percent to 13 percent.

The additional funds needed will likely put further strain on Malaysia’s budget deficit, which stood at RM503.2 billion in 2012 and translates into 55 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Some of the most intriguing breakdowns is in the allocation of RM112.9 million for the Prime Minister’s Department where RM30 million was used on operational costs for a National Branding Unit programme.

The Works Ministry came in second with RM445.8 million, with RM425.8 million spent on toll compensation.

This is followed by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry which was allocated RM404 million, a large portion of which was used on sugar subsidies that amounted to RM367 million.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) was allocated RM360 million to prepare for the 13th general election.

In March, the government tabled for an additional RM10,290,243,800 to cover expenses by several ministries and departments for the provision of services for 2011.