The Federation Of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said the federal government's top priority must be to enhance the quality of life of all Malaysians by extending the social safety net nationwide.

marimuthu interview 260408 era office "The first priority should be given to identifying the poor and marginalised. Special assistance should be allocated in the form of food stamps; subsidies in housing, education, health and public transport; access to job opportunities and the right to housing," said Fomca president N Marimuthu ( left ) in a media statement related to the recently announced budget.

Fomca also supports the building and construction of low cost housing and with a suitable financing scheme.

First time buyers should be encouraged to purchase their own homes by having financial guarantees and a deposit kept at 10 percent.

The government should also explore reducing the currently high toll rates to ease the financial burden of Malaysians.

"It should also prevent government doctors and specialists from being "stolen" by the higher paying private sector.

"In addition the healthcare system needs to be improved to enhance the quality of services to the public," he pointed out.

Public transport and amenities should also be made accessible for people with disabilities and they should given 100 percent exemption on excise duties to buy national cars.

Fomca argues that bus and taxi, LRT and MRT systems should be integrated within a comprehensive land use plan to enhance the public transportation system in Malaysia.

Strategically, Fomca proposes that the government acts as an enabler rather then a public transport operator, by providing subsidies to ensure a viable public transport system and it should provide the support infrastructure such as bus lanes and walkways.

Comprehensive approach required

While RM3.8 billion will be spent in the agriculture sector to enhance its productivity and provide better returns, Fomca strongly believes that a more comprehensive approach needs to be made to stabilise prices and ensure food security.

Some suggestions include: enhanced asset accumulation and land consolidation, so that larger farm enterprises remain competitive, setting up a rural credit system; enhancing private markets by improving transportation, enforcing standards and measure in food transactions and implementing small scale production and storage technology.

The other suggestions include increase public funding for agriculture and food investment in agricultural R&D, diversified food production, increase productivity and labour, create incentives for investment, use new biological technology to increase productivity and sustainability in paddy production, investing in infrastructure like roads, telecommunications and ports in rural areas, to reduce transactions and logistic costs.

Liberalisation and deregulation may prove also prove productive.

Fomca also fully supports a private pension fund which will ensure some level of financial security for small traders and private sector workers in their old age.

It also wants a reasonable mechanism to be established to assist those going through bankruptcy.

 Skill enhancement

Fomca also wants the enhancement of skills in communication, conflict management, and leadership and financial literacy to be enhanced in institutions of higher learning to prepare the graduates to face the real world.

university convocation 090507 03 Fomca also supports the life-long up-skilling and re-skilling programme through the 1Malaysia Training Programme to give opportunities to learn technical and personal development skills either for personal growth or to start a business.

While Fomca supports the increased involvement of the private sector as the 'engine of growth' for the economy, it also seeks an active regulatory role of government in ensuring consumers are well protected.

Especially in this age of increasingly sophisticated technology, confusing financial products and internet trading and globalisation, too often the consumers are victims of unscrupulous traders.

The government must work with the consumer movement to ensure the continued protection and welfare of the consumers.

However, Fomca is disappointed that there is no mention in the 2011 Budget to emphasise mitigation against impact of climate change like natural resource conservation and permanent gazetting of water catchments.

"Also there is no direct incentive to encourage consumers to support green technology, like installing solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and retrofitting lights," said the statement.