Malaysia relaxes spending ban on government departments

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 11 (Chinese media) -- The Malaysian government has relaxed its ban on spending by government departments, allowing them to buy necessary assets and do office revamping and others, local newspapers reported on Sunday.

However, the Malaysian Treasury Ministry cautioned heads of the government departments to control their spending and spend the funds well and only when necessary.

The Ministry said that it relaxed the austerity measures to allow the government departments to make their plans in the new year.

Last June, the Malaysian Federal Government announced several austerity measures to curb spending after the drastic rise in global fuel prices.

The measures also included a temporary halt to the recruitment of new employees in non-critical sectors, reduction in entertainment allowances for ministers, cutting down overseas trips by officials.