I refer to Malaysiakini report 2010 Budget fails to excite.

I am inclined to agree with the comments made regarding the 2010 Budget which has really failed in essence to really cater for the needs of the lower and middle-income groups who are struggling to make ends meet.

Income in the private sector has remained stagnant or has even reduced whilst the cost of essential items especially foodstuffs have accelerated to a level that makes having an wholesome meal at home a luxury these days.

While the budget’s emphasis is to generate more income and growth in the areas of tourism, foreign investments and ‘corridor’ developments besides adding impetus to food production and generating more electricity to face the demands of the future, what it has failed to address is the current dilemmas faced by the rakyat at large.

One vital area this budget has failed to address is the plight of parents struggling hard to educate their children. The Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional Malaysia (PTPTN) has been of help to ease some of the financial burdens on parents.

However, PTPTN's methods of trying to recover the money loaned out are seen to be heartless and inhuman. Those owing small amounts are slammed with lawyers’ notices demanding full payment immediately and even that repayments to this effect will be made in installments are totally ignored.

These actions at this time of an economic slowdown or slow recovery can be likened to that of an Ah Long without any sympathetic feelings.

Many friends I know are also struggling to make payments on housing loans and the banks are coming down really hard on them even if there is a single lapse in payment. Pleas to banks to reduce the loan repayment amount to help the borrower meet these payments but at a reduced scale are refused outright.

They even threaten foreclosure if the payments are not timely. But one or two banks that I know have, in fact, considered reducing the loan payment based on the lowering of the Base Lending Rate and this thoughtful action will go a long way towards helping the borrowers.

What this budget has failed to address is to get the banks to reduce the loan repayments at this difficult time. Merely’ asking’ the banks to reduce the repayment quantum on goodwill does not help at all.

Besides that, the allocation set aside for public transport is grossly inadequate. If the budget team had done their homework well, they would have realised, the current KTM Komuter trains that are still seem to be running have to be completely  replaced with new more efficient Electric Multiple Units to meet the demands of the ever-growing traffic.

Currently, some of the trains are considered a total loss but are forced to still be used to improve  KTM’s already slow and pathetic service.

If the government is sincere about encouraging more usage of public transport, then they should make it more efficient, reliable and user-friendly. It is not surprising these days to hear of KTM’s train commuter services being cancelled at will or waiting for between one to two hours for the next available train to get home after a hard day's work.

Malaysia boasts of a good and first-class infrastructure but these are merely showcases and do not really benefit the poor people in the towns and rural areas. This budget has failed to address the  people's urgent and essential needs that require help and support now.

There is nothing really to be impressed about this Budget 2010. It serves as an icing on a burnt cake.