Budget 2017 to be tabled by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Parliament today has received various reactions from the public, showing their expectation for the future of Malaysia.

In general, a majority of the people hope that the budget announced will improve their standard of living amidst an unstable economy.

Bank personnel Fauzi Ahmad Musa, 35, when met by reporters during a survey conducted in Johor Baru yesterday, expressed his hopes that the budget would focus on housing issues, such as by helping the youth in buying their first houses.

Meanwhile, supermarket staffer Nursuhaida Mahmud, 39, hopes the price of houses could be lessened to ease the process of buy a house.

"I hope that in Budget 2017 the government can reduce the price of affordable houses, especially for the less fortunate, as it will enable for them to have their own houses," she said.

Worries on the increase of the cost of living and items is also reflected in hopes that the government would announce a special allocation or an initiative that would lessen the people's burden.

For J Selva Kumar, 40, he wished that government could lessen the hardships faced, especially for the poor.

"In looking at the present situation, with an erratic economy, it is the poor who are hardest hit. Thus, it is important that the government do something that can lessen the people's burden," he said.

Meanwhile, Liew Boon Ween, 32, urged the government to provide more benefits for the people, including the reduction of income tax.

"I hope that our income tax can be lessened and that the government can revive the condition of our economy," he said.

- Bernama