SUPP chief: Budget balances human needs, economic prosperity

Published: Saturday October 26, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM 

Updated: Saturday October 26, 2013 MYT 3:14:42 PM

Nurafizzan Bujang getting the live feed of the Budget 2014 tabling by Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak via her tablet computer in Kuching. — Bernama

MIRI: The Budget 2014 takes into consideration many human aspects while weighing the economic and financial well-being of the country.

SUPP president Tan Sri Peter Chin said the comparatively low Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 6% which would take effect in April 2015, showed that the Government was caring and did not want to overburden the people.

The way he looked at it, the aim of the Budget was basically to strengthen the economy against impending inflation and economic downturn and at the same time, to maintain development at a rate that could lead Malaysia to achieve developed status even before 2020.

“While aiming for these objectives, the Government has not forgotten the needs of the ordinary Malaysians, especially the middle and low-income groups.

He saw the period before April 2015 as a time in which people would prepare for the tax so that its impact would not be too heavy on them.

“Furthermore, 6% is rather low. Britain’s rate is more than 10%,” he said.

Chin, who formerly helmed the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, also noted that the Government was enforcing stricter measures to protect the environment while developing the country.

“For example, there is a move to make sure that all Government offices use LED lights and solar panels.

“When I was the minister, we spoke about this and we introduced it in several departments.

“Now, the Government is going all out in every department. That is a very progressive move,” he stressed.