PACKAGE: POSITIVE REACTION FROM GOVT, OPPOSITION MPs

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Members of Parliament from both sides of
the bench today reacted positively to the second stimulus package tabled by
Deputy Prime Minsiter Najib Razak, saying the mini budget was a
timely move to help the people tide over the global economic gloom.

They said that the package would also enable industries to move ahead on
various fronts and not to be encumbered by the slowdown.

Even the creative industry would benefit from the package, Information
Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said.

He said the RM20 million (US$5.4 million) allocation for Radio Television
Malaysia (RTM),a Malaysian government-owned public broadcaster, proved that the
creative industry was equally important to spur growth.

"The allocation will be used to create content in the music industry, with
RTM launching a new 24-hour 'Muzik Aktif' channel over Channel 180 on Astro on
Thursday," he told reporters at parliament lobby.

encourage quality content from players in the creative industry.

Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat said the construction of new
low-cost terminal showed that the government was committed to enhancing
competitiveness in the country's aviation industry.

He said the government had identified RM5 billion (US$1.35 billion)
investment, which would be implemented "off-budget", including a low-cost
carrier terminal project and expansion of northern-state Penang airport, at the
cost of RM2 billion (US$540 million) and RM250 million (US$67.5 million)
respectively.

Education Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he was grateful
that the package still managed to give priority to education despite the
economic slowdown.

"Dilapidated schools would be given attention, as well as schools in rural
areas," he said.

Health Minister Dr Liow Tiong Lai thanked the government for
allowing the contract employment of some 1,000 health assistants in local
authorities in a move to stamp out infectious diseases such as dengue.

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the proposal
to increase the number of scholarships for entry into local private universities
would enable more students to pursue higher education.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamad said the
package would help reduce the burden borne by farmers, fishermen and livestock
breeders.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Muhammad Muhamad Taib said
the huge allocation for rural development would be welcomed by the people
especially those in Sabah and Sarawak, both East Malaysia states.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said he hoped that the training and job
opportunities announced in the package would be realised to address workers'
retrenchment.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said he did not expect Najib to announce
a big amout.

"This is not just RM10 billion (US$2.7 billion) (as reported). I've said
previously that there should be an additional allocation of RM30 billion.
(US$8.1 billion)

"It turns out that the amount announced by Najib is RM60 billion (US$16.2
billion) for two years," he said.

Democratic Action Party (DAP), and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) are
opposition political parties.


-- BERNAMA