Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
News
Be wary of Umno leaders bearing gifts
Published:  Oct 1, 2012 9:22 AM
Updated: 4:18 AM

YOURSAY 'Najib, you can throw all the money you have onto us, but that will never change my mind in voting you out of office.'

LIVE: Budget 2013 speech - salient points

your say Vijay47: Compressed into its essence, Budget 2013 was Umno in its element. Dishing out gifts left and right with its eye obviously on the forthcoming election, Umno was making a last ditch effort to ensure survival through the means it knows best - buying votes.

Apart from a few insignificant personal tax benefits, the Budget had nothing of substance, nothing to trigger the economy to greater heights, a fact well-camouflaged by PM Najib Razak's largess which he hopes would conceal his shameful record.

What were his proposals to raise Malaysia and place it on the pedestal he said would make it the object of the world's respect and admiration? How does he plan to erase 22 years of corruption and misrule?

To some degree, he initially managed to hold on to some little measure the dignity expected of a prime minister but in the end, the base politician in him took over and he went hysterical, reflecting the snake oil seller he really is.

Truly, we have to be wary of Umno leaders bearing gifts.

Onyourtoes: It is funny really; if the government can give so much since March 2008, why didn't they give us the same before that?

Why didn't the government care for the welfare of the people then? Why didn't the government give textbook vouchers, rebate for smart phones, BR1M 1.0 and 2.0, etc? So where did all these goodies go before March 2008?

Should we claim back from those who stole from us? Surely, I want my rebate for smart phones too, but unfortunately I don't qualify now.

WiseManSays: A 20 percent discount for National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans for those who pay off the entire amount outstanding - this means the rich guys who can afford to pay but refuse to pay can now get a discount. How can this be good?

Odin: This budget is obviously designed to buy votes - but only the votes from West Malaysians. There isn't much in it for East Malaysians.

Even the stifling, prices-jacking cabotage policy has not been addressed. Meaning, even more of East Malaysians votes will be lost to the opposition.

Geronimo: Najib, you can throw all the money you have onto us, but that will never change my mind in voting you out of office.

Don't try to buy us out. It may have worked before, but it is not going to work now. I hope you are getting ready to vacate your office. This is your last budget 'show' and it was a futile exercise.

Thiswayoutplease: Over RM200-plus billion in operating expenditure and the best you could come out for senior citizens is a 50 percent discount on passport fees? This works out to RM30 in savings a year for a five-year passport.

Please take it back and do not treat senior citizens like beggars.

Ferdtan: The government, estimated to have overspent RM19.6 billion in 2012, is sure to overspend again next year, whoever takes over Putrajaya.

The scenario of the present election budget suggests excessive spending to get votes. Take the current operation expenditure of RM201.9 billion as a base to the overspending of last year - it is 9.7 percent overrun.

Any accountant in a private firm with that kind of overrun budget would be called up for queries.

Why only RM1 billion to improve school infrastructure, while more were given (RM1.2 billion) for pre-schools under government programmes, including Permata? Shouldn't the existing schools be given priority over pre-schools?

The RM1 billion is not enough to go round per head considering the number of students from primary to secondary. Is the higher amount for pre-schools are for Permata?

Permata is for intellectually gifted children programme and a brainchild of the wife of PM Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor. Rosmah is sure to love this budget.

Anonymous_rb345: At the rate they are going, they will overspent more than RM20 billion again in 2013 resulting higher national debt. As a result, our ringgit will depreciate against all major currencies and we shall be the next Greece of Asean.

Hero325: Look at the operating expenditure versus development expenditure - it is 4.06:1.0, four times as much money spend on operating compared with development. The situation is not healthy anymore.

Just&Fair4All: Najib is really a good strategist. If he proposed to raise the amount under BRIM 2.0 to more than what he has been paying out, I am sure the whole country and opposition will jump on him.

But instead of choosing that route, he rather pay a ‘one-off payment' of RM100 for each primary and secondary school student.

Now you tell me. Are there more primary and secondary school students add together or are there more poor families who live below the poverty line but with each family counted as one unit recipient only?

And also this will benefit those families who are rich as well because it is paid out regardless of the child's financial background.

What I am worried now is how much the final bill will come up to. What is the rationale behind giving ‘free angpow' to those who doesn't need it.

Poor Malaysian taxpayers - have to help pay for the victory of our government, like it or not.

Makorang: All these one-off payments in an election year should be banned.


The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .

ADS