YOURSAY | ‘But RM2.6b will go some way to help soothe the RM30b loss in oil revenues.’

Najib: Economic uncertainties beyond our control

FellowMalaysian: The fact that the current economic situation compels the national budget to be revised five months after it was tabled, speaks volumes of the financial and economic shrewdness, or lack of it, of the Finance Ministry.

The budget was approved in August with oil prices pegged at US$48 per barrel when world oil prices was hovering at US$40.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's team was certain that targeting oil revenue at US$48 was a reasonable expectation. Unfortunately, the oil prices now have dipped even lower, with Brent crude at less than US$30.

It is now clear that the 2016 Budget was off in its projection by 60 percent.

When 30 percent of our country's total revenue is derived from oil and gas, the drastic fall in prices has affected the targeted income of our country and this has rendered our expectations untenable.

Perhaps, it’s time for Najib to dispose another huge chunk of federal land in the name of saving the country from economic turmoil and distress.

Democrat: Najib, your government failed to prepare for this as any good government should have done. Instead, you bloated the cabinet and appointed losers as advisers.

Additionally, you bought a RM500 million plane for you, your wife and VIPs, you travelled with your wife all over the world instead of cutting down costs, you sold many of our prized assets to pay off 1MDB debts , you got a RM2.6 billion in donation and used it to win elections, you introduced the goods and services tax (GST)... the list goes on.

Doc: I agree with Najib that a large chunk of the economic uncertainties befalling Malaysia at the moment is beyond our control - like the falling oil prices, strengthening US dollar, and the wobbly China economy.

However, what is truly unforgivable is that the finance minister (who happens to be the PM, too) and all the ministers holding important portfolios, are behaving like monkeys chasing their tails and have no clue on how to solve the worsening economic crisis.

Mojo Jojo: Yes, our declining economy - due to a fall in oil revenues - is beyond governmental control.

However, the way in which you receive "donations", and the manner in which 1MDB conducts its business affairs is within your control, is it not?

Incidentally, you fail to address a main reason leading to a declining economy: lack of investor confidence.

Would you invest billions of dollars in a country that portrays an image that is neither fair nor transparent in its economic dealings?

GE14Now!: Please do not think that we are so unreasonable as to refuse to realise that there are things beyond your control - after all, you are not God although some might claim (erroneously, I would add) that you are the chosen one .

What we take umbrage and issue with you is that you have squandered and plundered the coffers of this nation.

A small contribution of say, RM2.6 billion, would go some way to help soothe the RM30 billion loss in oil revenues.

But as for your claim that incomes will rise faster than the inflation, well... that will only happen when the government is no longer corrupt and incompetent.

Drngsc: While our woes are partly due to external factors, it is mainly internal factors which resulted in the sluggish economy - meaning you.

You can test my assertion. Take a leave of absence until the 1MDB investigation is complete and if you are found guilty, resign.

Let us see what will happen to the market and economy then, okay?

Hearty Malaysian: Najib, how is it that Singapore, with its lower income tax and no natural resources, fares much better than us, and its currency is valued three times that of the ringgit?

Stop giving excuses, cut corruption, end racial politics and stop wasting money as exemplified by the many excesses on your watch.

Your vague explanation of the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ is certainly not helping to boost investor confidence in the midst of the economic downturn.

Retnam: I’m glad to know that the government has no clue as to what to do.

I hope the economy will worsen to the point that the government will eventually be unable to pay civil servants their salaries.

Only then will there be popular demands for Najib to resign - and he will have no choice but to do so.

With Najib out, everything will then fall in place.

Mosquitobrain: We already have some ideas on how to increase our incomes, courtesy of Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan - but yours is better and faster.

We'd like to find out how to make RM2.6 billion from you within a short span of 10 years.

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