BUDGET : WHAT THEY SAY.....

MPs comment on Budget 2009

l MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu: “Budget 2009 is truly a budget for the poor. Never has there been so many goodies for the less fortunate. The tax incentives and rebates proposed will benefit all races and I applaud the Government’s political will in these measures. I'm also glad the Government has kept its promise to redevelop Tamil schools.”

l Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud: “I welcome the RM420mil allocation to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sarawak through improving basic amenities such as electricity, water and rural roads. Improving welfare services and enhancing quality of life of the hardcore poor through education could help tackle poverty in Sarawak.”

·Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok: “The budget's proposals to increase spendable income, reducing taxes payable by both individual and corporate taxpayers, coupled with the reduction or abolition of taxes in a wide range of imports will spur economic growth. It is a people-friendly budget.”

l Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon: “It is significant that the Prime Minister announced the income tax reduction in the context of promoting knowledge-based economy and reducing brain drain. (On public transportation) What is needed is a state or city-level local public transportation authority to integrate all the functions of the various departments and agencies.”

l Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam: “In view of the world economic situation, this is a people-friendly budget. The Government has proposed spending in all important sectors to alleviate the hardship faced by the lower-income group. I welcome the emphasis given to infrastructural development.”

l Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim: “This is a very relaxed budget, it does not solve the problem of real income as inflation is now 6% but economic growth is only 5% to 5.5%. I predict that economic growth will be lower than 5% and this Budget does not tell the people to be prepared to overcome such a situation.”

l Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak: “It is a budget with underlying political strategy. It is blatantly clear that the budget is to appease Sabah and Sarawak politicians. However, we welcome the incentives for the agriculture sector, although some of it appear to benefit only certain quarters.”

l Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam: “Civil servants should be happy with the benefits and the one-month bonus announced. They should work harder and increase their productivity and efficiency to help spur the economy. If the economy improves, this means the private sector will make more money and thus, there will be more corporate taxes for the Government. This way, the civil servants will enjoy even better benefits next year.”

l Jerlun MP and Umno Youth exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir: “The Budget was all right but quite general. I'd like to wait for the debate and I would particularly like to hear what the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Ministry has to say about the implementation of some of the things the Prime Minister has announced with regard to increasing the supply of food, specifically rice.

l Independent Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali: “The Budget is hebat (fantastic). There are lots of measures to reduce the people's hardship.”