KUALA LUMPUR: Federal government debts rose to RM649.4bil in 2016, a 2.8% increase of RM17.9bil from the 2015 financial year, according to the 2016 Auditor-General’s report. The report noted that the debts have increased by RM148.8bil since 2012 when they remained at RM501.617bil. It said the gradual increase of the federal government’s debts was attributed to the increase in domestic debt of RM15.759bil and overseas debt of RM2.1bil last year. The report added that the expenditure due to the national debt (thecost to acquire loans and interest payments), showed an increase for five consecutive years - from RM19.5bil in 2012 to RM26.4bil in 2016.

Source: The Star July 31, 2017 06:56 UTC