COMMENT Whether 41 percent or 49 percent, the numbers in the Economic Transformation Programme 2012 annual report is essentially trying to tell us this - Malaysia will reach high income status by 2020.

That gives the impression that the average Malaysian will be bringing home about RM48,000 (or US$15,000) a year by that time.

But will it? Does the average Malaysian feel 41 percent - or even the more modest 24 percent in ringgit terms - richer today compared to 2009? Are their pockets deeper?

The simple answer is no...