YOURSAY 'Looks good on paper, but no substance due to poor implementation.'

Najib unveils Budget 2015 in face of tough year

Vijay47: After struggling for 90 minutes watching the ‘Najib 'Malaysia Got Talent' Show’, I just had to give up. It is quite obvious Najib Abdul Razak had been well-coached by his image-minders, who must have told him, "Reflect confidence, put more intonation and passion into your voice, have more body language".

That is why for the first hour he assumed his Mark Antony role and was swaying about like one of the ladies and/or gentleman around Sun Complex that former minister Zainuddin Maidin seems to be familiar with. But what a pity that none of the opposition members were not in Parliament today. They must have all been absent, because not once were they shown in the TV direct telecast. So what else is new?

Having taken a second look at the Budget 2015 highlights, I must agree it does cater to the rakyat's welfare. If you consider the MPTNR and the previous KHTS, you will realise that our DWBD will more than achieve the FSOL set by the World Bank and the national JJKN will be among the highest in the world when measured against NMRT or even the SWJI.

Very soon, Malaysia's JYDC will be the envy of the world BCMI and we will have every reason to SDHPN! Good show, NBTAR!

Abasir: Having read the comment by Vijay47 , I'm truly disappointed that the Budget has not funded the establishment of a much needed Department of Clever Abbreviations (DCA) at the PMO. Najib should not be testing the patience (and the memory) of the rakyat in this manner.

Doc: Take-home message after Budget 2015 is announced by our visiting PM this evening. It is important to understand that if you get screwed by Budget 2015 in more ways then imagined, rest assured that BN/Umno is doing it in your best interests.

So don't ask why you are getting screwed by the government or how it helps you in the long run or decided to protest in the street. Just enjoy being screwed by the government and take it. It’s good for you.

Ace: Superb at coining slogans! But living up to them?

JomUbahUbah: Looks good on paper, but no substance at all due to poor implementation.

Non: Is there anything for those who have worked and paid their taxes all their lives and are now trying to survive in these difficult times, solely on their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) money? Any incentives to help them find continuing sources of income if they are still productive and eager to contribute?

Malaysia Truly Asia: Lets see Selangor's and Penang's budgets. Then some of you intelligent economists and basically idiots can make your silly comments. Maybe you think Selangor will support Malaysia, when in fact this Budget supports Selangor and Penang.

Wg321: In the Budget 2015 presentation, Najib says a soul will not rest in peace if someone dies without paying his debts. I fully agreed with him.

How come not a single sen is set aside to reduce our national debt of RM568.9 billion as of June 2014. This figure does not include the hidden debts of government-linked companies (GLCs) and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Najib only knows how to borrow, borrow... borrow but he does not know how to pay, pay... pay the nation's debt. That is why Dr Mahathir Mohamad is so sore with him especially with regards to Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M).

In the end, all Malaysian souls will not rest in peace because Najib, as prime minister of Malaysia, does not know how to pay the nation’s debts. Maybe Najib thinks we don't have to pay our nation's debts just like those National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) students.

When the Western economies and the Chinese economy are in trouble, maybe due to China's property bubble, Malaysia will be in serious trouble. This time the Chinese (economic) tsunami will come from the South China Sea. Malaysia is simply living beyond its means.

Man on the Street: Really shocking! RM1.2 billion allocation for vocational education to raise enrolment in vocational and technical institutions. But, for national schools only RM450 million! These figures do not make any sense at all! I'll definitely wait for the Auditor-General's Report on this RM1.2 billion allocation.

Dalvik: BR1M is now increased to RM950 from RM650. That is a 46 percent jump. I've mentioned earlier, BR1M is a monetary form of subsidy. It will NEVER solve the root cause of poverty. Food for thought: If the economy is well-managed, do we even need this ever increasing monetary subsidy? Talk about subsidy reform!

Negarawan: "In corporate equity ownership, the bumiputera have yet to achieve the 30 percent target. Effective control over corporations is currently only around 10 percent."

This is a blatant lie. Many research indicates that bumiputeras now own about 50 percent of the corporate sector, not just 10 percent. This fact was pointed out by Ramon Navaratnam as far back as 2005.

Fair Play: Not very encouraging. Out of total budget of 273.94 billion, 223.44 billion or 81.6 percent is for operating expenditure and 50.5 billion or 18.6 percent for development expenditure. For a developing economy, at least 50 percent should be allocated to development expenditure to stoke the engine of growth.

Zen: Malaysia's economy will be jolted in 2014 or 2015 either from internal or external factors. If it is internal it will be caused by the property bubble or sovereign investments including Petronas. If it is external it will come from China. Be wary. From now to December 2015 cash is king. Be really, really worried!

Mamba: Blah, blah, blah...! Except for big headline budgets such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), BR1M and bonus, etc, which will certainly get executed; on other spendings, who keeps track if they are properly spent?

I remember sometimes back, Najib promised to create an email account for every Malaysian in his budget. I don't think it has been materialised. Any reader can enlighten me on this?

The Analyser: Too many one-off handouts. They will achieve nothing but short-term indulgence and maybe buy a few votes. Maybe. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day...

Ian2003: Now credible NGOs such as Isma, Perkasa, Jati and the like will get a combined allocation of RM50 million. Congratulations!

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