Published: Monday October 21, 2013 MYT 1:03:00 PM
Updated: Monday October 21, 2013 MYT 1:07:14 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat unveiled its proposed budget ahead of the federal government's Budget 2014 announcement this coming Friday.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who announced the Pakatan budget at a meeting room in Parliament, said it was aimed at three core areas.
"The three areas are strengthening the nation's fiscal standing, balanced and inclusive economic development, and improving the rakyat's quality of life," he said.
The alternative budget was agreed upon by all three members of the coalition on Sunday.
It introduces a proposed fiscal reformation that supposedly ensures a reduced deficit at 3% GDP by 2015, and achieves a budget surplus by 2018.
Anwar proposed a 10% cut in the operating costs of ministries, through temporary suspension of allowance increase for Cabinet ministers and heads of government departments.
"We also propose a review of the federal government's expenditure policy, especially in giving contracts and procurement of equipment.
"In addition, there should be a review of the mechanism for targeted and controlled subsidies like sugar and diesel," he added.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who was also present, proposed the government do away with programs that were unimportant and ineffective.
"For instance, the National Service program costs RM800mil yearly, and has resulted in 22 deaths since its establishment.
"The government should suspend the program until a comprehensive study has been done by a Parliamentary select committee," he said.
Lim also called for the government to not implement the goods and services tax (GST) yet as there had been no real wages increase to go with it.
Among other highlights of the alternative budget are to provide incentives of RM1,200 a year to working mothers to support children under 12, and to allocate RM3bil a year to the Skim Caruman Wanita Nasional.
No comments:
Post a Comment