ID :
17562
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 11:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/17562
The shortlink copeid
2009 BUDGET IS TO FULFIL GOVT RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE - M'SIAN PM
KEPALA BATAS (Malaysia), Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the 2009 Budget, which he tabled in the Lower House of Parliament (Dewan Rakyat) Friday, was not for seeking popularity but to fulfil the government's responsibility to the people.
He said the allocation given in the budget showed that the government was
indeed a caring government.
"The people is trying to cope with hardship and if we don't help them, they
(the opposition) will say that we don't care for the people, that we are not a
caring government and that we just close our ears and have no heart for the
people.
"But when we give, they said we just want to be popular. So, what should it
be? To give or not to give? (It's better to) give. We are helping those in
need," he told reporters after opening the Bertam Umno branch delegates' meeting
Saturday.
Abdullah, who is Finance Minister, said he was still gathering feedback
from
the public on the budget before making further comments.
Among others, the budget, themed "A Caring Government", allocates RM25 in
special fund to channel timely financial assistance to families deprived of
their sources of income, particularly arising from accidents to breadwinners.
The government also raised the eligibility criteria for welfare assistance
under the Welfare Department, from a monthly household income of RM400 to RM720
for peninsular Malaysia, RM830 for Sarawak and RM960 for Sabah.
To assist the middle and lower income groups, the government proposes the
current tax rebate of RM350 per person be increased to RM400 for those with
taxable income of RM35,000 and below.
Abdullah said he was happy that so far, by and large, the people accepted
the budget. "Most of them say it's a good budget but there are also those who
have different opinion."
"I'm still waiting to hear what are the views that coming in, the pros and
the cons... but so far thera are a lot of pros," he said.
Asked on the statement by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that
the budget was just giving sweeteners to the people, Abdullah said, "Anwar,
that's what he knows best... giving sweeteners to the people by promising to
reduce the fuel price."
He said the allocation given in the budget showed that the government was
indeed a caring government.
"The people is trying to cope with hardship and if we don't help them, they
(the opposition) will say that we don't care for the people, that we are not a
caring government and that we just close our ears and have no heart for the
people.
"But when we give, they said we just want to be popular. So, what should it
be? To give or not to give? (It's better to) give. We are helping those in
need," he told reporters after opening the Bertam Umno branch delegates' meeting
Saturday.
Abdullah, who is Finance Minister, said he was still gathering feedback
from
the public on the budget before making further comments.
Among others, the budget, themed "A Caring Government", allocates RM25 in
special fund to channel timely financial assistance to families deprived of
their sources of income, particularly arising from accidents to breadwinners.
The government also raised the eligibility criteria for welfare assistance
under the Welfare Department, from a monthly household income of RM400 to RM720
for peninsular Malaysia, RM830 for Sarawak and RM960 for Sabah.
To assist the middle and lower income groups, the government proposes the
current tax rebate of RM350 per person be increased to RM400 for those with
taxable income of RM35,000 and below.
Abdullah said he was happy that so far, by and large, the people accepted
the budget. "Most of them say it's a good budget but there are also those who
have different opinion."
"I'm still waiting to hear what are the views that coming in, the pros and
the cons... but so far thera are a lot of pros," he said.
Asked on the statement by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that
the budget was just giving sweeteners to the people, Abdullah said, "Anwar,
that's what he knows best... giving sweeteners to the people by promising to
reduce the fuel price."
