#budget

Kit Siang says the BN-led gov't has built expectations for goodies, including a second BR1M to be doubled to RM1,000 or more.

Panellists at a pre-budget forum warn that the gov't can ill afford to freely give out ‘goodies’, but must stimulate growth and address increasing debts.

We wouldn’t be far wrong to predict tomorrow will be all about goodies and handouts with no regard for rising national debt.

'Most bumiputras will benefit from needs-based policies because these can't be abused by a select few.' [VIDEO INSIDE]

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is expected to unveil a voter-pleasing budget on Friday, placing the priority on winning a tough election.

The online community can pose questions on Budget 2013 to Prime Minister Najib Razak on #TanyaNajib on October 3.

If the GE does not take place in November as speculated, then it is likely that the government may go the full term on its mandate.

Senior citizens, single parents, children, the poor, disabled and those facing social problems ‘will receive a lot of attention’ under the coming budget.

This, and helping the rakyat as well as boosting the economy will be given attention, says Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

UPDATED 2.30PM A PKR senator asks what the government will do with the money, having upped its polls budget by RM660 million.

Lim Guan Eng's arithmetic shows that the country is heading towards the highest total deficit in its history.

The abolishment of PTPTN will cost too much and funds can be used for other purposes, says the premier.

UPDATED 5.54PM Najib says the budget would focus on quality and balanced growth, as well as the people's well-being.

COMMENT Many have thought the scheme is a 'soft loan' - similar to the RM250 million given to the National Feedlot Corporation.

The subsidy rationalisation plan, which has been inactive for nine months, has been put temporarily put on hold, reveals Pemandu.

The purchase of littoral combat ships (LCS) was within the ceiling price set by its budget, says defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Supply Bill 2012 (Budget 2012) amounts to RM232.8 billion for operational and development expenditure for the year 2012.    

The ministry says they have recommended disciplinary action for the officers who approved RM708,220 for medical equipment not yet received.

2010 AUDIT REPORT Of 47 companies firms owned by the Finance Ministry, profits are down by RM3.8 billion as 40 percent of firms posted losses.

Sarawakians misled on development, says Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who adds that 92 percent of the total value of projects planned have not taken off.

If the deficit goes up to RM50 billion annually, from RM34 billion now each year, a federal debt of RM1 trillion is likely in 2020.

UPDATED 7.55PM PARLIAMENT Similar property projects such as the BioValley, E-Village and MSC have failed before and Pakatan Rakyat warns that the same fate awaits the KLIFD.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim says at RM437 billion, the nation is approaching its ceiling of 55 percent of GDP.

UPDATED 6.45PM A public debate on the government's Budget 2012 vs Pakatan's shadow budget will help the rakyat to hear both sides.