Saturday, July 27, 2013

MIER lowers 2013 GDP growth forecast


Posted on 26 July 2013 - 05:37am
Eva Yeong sunbiz@thesundaily.com 

SUNpix: Carol Leong

KUALA LUMPUR (July 26, 2013): The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) yesterday lowered its forecast for Malaysia's 2013 economic growth to 4.8% from 5.6% previously, and warned that growth may be lower if all the downside risks occur.

Executive director Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid (pix) said these include a weaker pace of global growth, declining appetite for structural reforms and institutional improvements, an unsolved eurozone crisis, sovereign debt markets tension, fiscal contraction and hike in interest rates in the US, slowdown in China's economy, domestic demand fatigue and domestic political stability.

He said the downward revision was due to the country's lackluster performance in the first half of this year, which saw exports fall 3.3% year-on-year in the January-May period and decelerating private investment.

"We're very concerned with the recent developments in the external sector. Somehow our engine of growth in the external sector is getting slower," he told reporters at the think tank's Malaysian Economic Outlook: Second Quarter 2013 Update yesterday.

"Our exports fell quite substantially especially in April and May, with April registering the smallest trade balance. In May, exports increased only by a little, showing signs of decline," he added.

He also pointed to a lack of news about structural reforms in Malaysia's economy.

"It is a necessary condition to be a high income nation, but we're sleeping on it.

"It is tricky, balancing revenue and expenditure. How is the government going to increase revenue? The goods and services tax (GST) is one of them but now there (has been no news) about GST (lately)," he added.

Zakariah said the GST is probably still being discussed but there is no indication on when or how it would be implemented.

He also said that the government could try to reduce expenditure on subsidies and look at revenue leakage, with the subsidy rationalisation programme very likely to be implemented this year.

Meanwhile, MIER expects the economy to pick up in the second half of the year (H2) on improved and expanding business spending and projects gross domestic product (GDP) for 2014 to be within the range of 5%-5.5%.

"We hope June will be brighter. We expect (GDP growth in) Q2 to be more or less the same as Q1 or a little bit better, at between 4.1% and 4.3%.

"We also hope H2 will do better. We have confidence in H2 because (MIER's) business conditions index (BCI) showed that manufacturers are showing signs of expanding activities and good orders. Foreign investments also performed very well," he said.

The BCI bounced back by 21.6 percentage points to 114.2 in Q2 2013, the highest since the Q1 of 2012, after falling by 1.5 percentage points in Q1 2013.

Zakariah said Q3 2013 will see an improvement in the economy driven by higher production and local sales, export orders on the rise, employment to increase slightly and wage pressure expected to decrease.

Meanwhile, MIER expects inflation to be at 2.5% and unemployment to be at 3.2% this year, while the overnight policy rate is expected to remain at 3%.

S&P affirms ratings on Malaysia with stable outlook


Published: Friday July 26, 2013 MYT 5:15:00 PM 
Updated: Friday July 26, 2013 MYT 5:18:07 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today affirmed its 'A-' long-term and 'A-2' short-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on Malaysia.

The ratings agency had on Friday also affirmed its 'A' long-term and 'A-1' short-term local currency sovereign credit rating on Malaysia.

The outlook on the long-term rating remains stable. Standard & Poor's also affirmed its Asean regional scale rating on Malaysia at 'axAAA/axA-1+'.

Below is the statement issued by S&P Ratings

The sovereign credit rating on Malaysia reflects the country's strong external balance sheet, open and competitive middle-income economy, and considerable monetary flexibility. These strengths are weighed against sticky fiscal deficits and an increasing government debt burden.

Malaysia has a net external asset position of about 8% of GDP, based largely on continuing, albeit declining, trade surpluses. Official reserves cover about six months of current account payments.

"We estimate official reserves, financial sector external assets, and government liquid external assets to exceed gross external debt by 10% of current account receipts at end-2013," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Phua Yee Farn.

"Although we envisage smaller current account surpluses over the next two to three years because of higher imports of capital goods and sluggish commodity prices, we expect Malaysia to remain a net external creditor."

Malaysia's economic policies have generally been pragmatic and the government's efforts to enhance transparency and corporate governance have improved the country's business environment. Although the oil and gas sector has been a mainstay of the economy (around 20% of GDP), the economy is fairly diversified with a competitive manufacturing and services base.

The central bank's record in controlling inflation, with its clear monetary objectives and independence, indicates strong monetary flexibility that attenuates major economic shocks. Malaysia also has a deep domestic bond market, compared with most of its peers, which reduces its reliance on external financing.

"In our view, Malaysia's slow fiscal consolidation to date stems from an inability to substantially reduce high subsidies and its relatively weak revenue structure; the government has a strong dependence on petroleum-related revenues. It plans to reform the subsidy system and introduce a goods and services tax (GST), which will hasten fiscal consolidation if implemented," Mr. Phua said.

The stable outlook balances Malaysia's strong external position and monetary flexibility with its somewhat weak fiscal performance.

We may raise the sovereign credit ratings if stronger growth and the government's effort to reduce spending result in lower-than-expected deficits, as indicated in the 10th Malaysia Plan. With lower deficits, a significant reduction in government debt is possible.

We may lower the ratings if the government fails to deliver reform measures to reduce its fiscal deficits and increase the country's growth prospects. These reforms may include implementing the GST, reducing subsidies, boosting private investments, and diversifying the economy.

S&P Sahkan Penarafan Ke Atas Malaysia Dengan Prospek Stabil



KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Julai (Bernama) -- Standard & Poor's Rating Services (S&P) hari ini mengesahkan penarafan kredit berdaulat ke atas Malaysia dengan prospek stabil, mencerminkan paras mudah tunai luaran negara yang kukuh, ekonomi berpendapatan sederhana terbuka dan kompetitif dan fleksibiliti monetari yang besar.

Kekuatan ini dipertimbangkan berbanding defisit fiskal dan peningkatan bebanan hutang kerajaan.

Agensi penarafan itu hari ini mengesahkan penarafan kredit berdaulat mata wang asing jangka panjang 'A-' dan jangka pendek 'A-2' ke atas Malaysia dan juga mengesahkan penarafan kredit berdaulat mata wang tempatan jangka panjang 'A' dan jangka pendek 'A-1' ke atas negara.

S&P juga mengesahkan penarafan skala serantau Aseannya ke atas Malaysia pada 'axAAA/axA-1+'.

Negara memiliki paras aset luaran bersih kira-kira lapan peratus daripada keluaran dalam negara kasar (KDNK), disumbang sebahagian besarnya daripada lebihan perdagangan walaupun mencatatkan penurunan. Rizab rasmi merangkumi kira-kira enam bulan pembayaran akaun semasa.

"Kami mengunjurkan rizab rasmi, aset luar sektor kewangan dan aset luar cair kerajaan melebihi hutang luar kasar sebanyak 10 peratus perolehan akaun semasa pada akhir tahun.

"Walaupun S&P meramalkan lebihan akaun semasa dalam tempoh dua hingga tiga tahun akan datang, disebabkan import tinggi barangan modal dan penurunan harga komoditi, kami menjangka Malaysia kekal sebagai pemiutang luar bersih," kata penganalisis kredit Phua Yee Farn dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Dasar ekonomi Malaysia secara umumnya pragmatik dan usaha kerajaan untuk meningkatkan ketelusan dan tadbir urus korporat telah menambah baik persekitaran perniagaan negara, katanya.

Beliau berkata walaupun sektor minyak dan gas menjadi tulang belakang ekonomi (kira-kira 20 peratus daripada KDNK), ekonomi agak pelbagai dengan asas pembuatan dan perkhidmatan yang kompetitif.

Rekod bank pusat dalam mengawal inflasi, dengan objektif monetari jelas dan bebas, menunjukkan fleksibiliti monetari kukuh yang mengimbangi kejutan ekonomi utama. Malaysia juga mempunyai pasaran bon domestik kukuh, berbanding kebanyakan pesaingnya, yang mengurangkan pergantungannya kepada pembiayaan luar.

"Pada pandangan kami, pengukuhan fiskal perlahan Malaysia setakat ini berpunca daripada ketidakupayaan untuk mengurangkan dengan besar subsidi yang tinggi dan struktur pendapatannya agak lemah; kerajaan mempunyai pergantungan tinggi kepada pendapatan berkaitan petroleum.

"Ia merancang membaharui sistem subsidinya dan memperkenalkan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST), yang akan mempercepat pengukuhan fiskal sekiranya dilaksanakan," kata Phua.

Prospek stabil itu mengimbangi paras luar kukuh dan fleksibiliti monetari Malaysia dengan prestasi fiskal yang agak lemah.

Agensi penarafan itu mungkin menaikkan penarafan kredit berdaulat sekiranya pertumbuhan lebih kukuh dan usaha kerajaan mengurangkan perbelanjaan membawa kepada defisit lebih rendah daripada dijangkakan, seperti yang ditunjukkan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10.

Dengan defisit rendah, hutang kerajaan boleh dikurangkan dengan ketara, kata penganalisis itu.

"Kami mungkin menurunkan penarafan sekiranya kerajaan gagal menyediakan langkah-langkah pembaharuan untuk mengurangkan defisit fiskalnya dan meningkatkan prospek pertumbuhan negara.

"Pembaharuan ini mungkin termasuk melaksanakan GST, mengurangkan subsidi, meningkatkan pelaburan swasta dan mempelbagaikan ekonomi," jelasnya.

-- BERNAMA

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Malaysia on track for 5-6pc GDP growth


Publication: NST
Date of publication: Jul 24, 2013
Section heading: Business Times
Page number: 004
Byline / Author: By Francis Dass

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is optimistic that Malaysia will achieve the targeted five to six per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year, buoyed by a strong domestic economy, said Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

He said private and public consumption, private investment and government expenditure are supportive of the country's economy.

Speaking to journalists after delivering a keynote address at the 17th Malaysian Banking Summit 2013 yesterday, Ahmad Husni is optimistic that the country will record a five per cent GDP growth for the first half of the year after registering 4.1 per cent in the first quarter.

"Normally, we start off slowly but improve in the subsequent quarters," he said.

He said inflation has not gone up much, adding that "when we talk about subsidy rationalisation, we will relate that to increasing prices and we will study that carefully".

The minister briefly touched on the goods and services tax (GST) issue, saying that the implementation ofGST will take time as the government is studying its implementation and weighing the role of subsidy rationalisation.

The government, he assured, will be careful in keeping the prices of goods within the level that will not (adversely) affect the population.

In his speech earlier, Ahmad Husni highlighted that Malaysia's economy has been expanding at an annual rate of 4.2 per cent annually since 2009 and the foreign currency reserve is at a healthy US$136.1 billion (RM431 billion).

Total approved investments in the first quarter, he said, stood at RM49.3 billion. He cited these factors for his optimism on the state of the economy.

Addressing the bankers attending the summit, themed "Future Banking: Driving Growth, Prosperity and Transformation", Ahmad Husni pointed out that the financial sector remains the "lifeblood" and growth engine of Malaysia's economic development as it employs 145,000 people and contributes 12 per cent to the nation's GDP.

"Our banking system is a catalyst for growth and development for other economic sectors by ensuring optimal allocation of capital and resources," he said.

He praised the efforts made by banks to be inclusive, with the roll-out of facilities and services like "agent banking" and mobile banking which expanded the reach of financial services to segments of population that were underserved.

On the Financial Services Act 2013, which came into force recently, he said the new rules are essential in providing Bank Negara Malaysia with adequate powers to effectively respond to new and emerging financial risks.

Stop turning everything into race game


Sairana Mohd Saad | July 25, 2013
The case of Vivian and Alvin – ladies and gentlemen, if I may comment – is nothing but bad upbringing.
COMMENT
Don’t lump everything into the basket of racism, please.

Muslims believe that in the holy month of Ramadan, the devils are chained. Coincidentally, so are Vivian Lee and Alvin Tan.
I can’t help to notice how this issue has snowballed from a banal insult to now, a racism issue. I am not sure if people are just trying to lump everything to racism for the sake of lumping, or if they are really clueless about what racism is.
Or maybe they simply get one hell of a kick, out of employing the term racism. I don’t know which is which.
For those non-Muslims who are rather ignorant – let me enlighten you a little. Islam does not acknowledge the difference in “races” or skin colours.
All you have to do is switch on your TV channel to TV Al Hijrah just before our prayer times and you’ll see how Muslims of all shapes and colours perform the Tawaf – and you’ll understand what I mean.
And in our country itself, there are many Muslim reverts, who are Chinese or Indians of origin, who put us, Malay Muslims to shame by their beautiful recitation of the Holy Quran and by their excellent knowledge of the Deen. Did you know that?
I am beginning to think that we live in a sick society. Sick, in the sense of morally sick. It’s either that or we are just troublemakers who love to see our nation in complete disarray and chaos.
Where there is no trouble, let’s create one. Where there is no chaos, let’s organise one. Or maybe we are jealous of Egypt and Syria?
Do we hate peace so much? Or are we just ungrateful human beings who don’t know how to reflect and use our brains like we should?
The case of Vivian and Alvin – ladies and gentlemen, if I may comment – is nothing but BAD upbringing.
It’s precisely just bad upbringing from their parents who have failed to educate their children on how to behave and conduct themselves in a society they live in.
If our children are behaving like apes, then the onus is upon us, parents who have failed to educate and instil good moral practices in our children – either by pure negligence or by lack or time or both. That’s a no brainer!
I’d be ashamed and I’d be the first to punish my own children for not respecting any other religion – whatever it may be.
We all know for a fact that all religions teach us good things. Therefore, their act of insulting Islam in public and mocking Muslims is nothing more than an act of foolishness beyond belief.
Let’s get real
I wasn’t too disturbed by their stupidity or ignorance (for a better word ), until the headlines started to rattle off in all sorts of political debates.
Let’s get real.
In life, there are things we are responsible for, there are things we are accountable for, and there things which are beyond our control. We cannot and should not just shift all our responsibilities to others, although that is the simplest thing to do on earth.
Yes, by all means, blame the government all you want for the indelible ink, for TPPA, for Sedition Act, for GST etc. etc. because as policymakers, that falls under their responsibility.
But to put the blame on them for the stupidity of these kids, are nothing else than illogical fallacy.
There is nothing more apt that the saying “ Ask not what your country can do for you!”. The incessant blame game and incessant rantings are just tiring and wearing us down.
If you want to live in a developed nation, and be part of a First World country, start rearing your children like First Class human beings, man. Why don’t you take part in building the nation from your own homes?
And for once, take responsibility for your own actions. Stop bickering and start doing. And stop lumping everything into the basket of racism.
If you don’t know, ask – don’t just rant and rave for the sake of appeasing your hunger to be in the spotlight. If you want fame, go to Hollywood!
For there is nothing more embarrassing than putting one’s foot in one’s mouth. If you have nothing nice to say, it is then better for you to remain silent.
Taking this opportunity to wish all Muslims Ramadan Kareem and May Allah SWT bestow us with his Blessings, Patience and Strength to endure the constant challenges that are put before us. Amen.

Sairana Mohd Saad is a regular contributor to FMT.

Stop blaming the EC


Iskandar Dzulkarnain | July 23, 2013
A satirical look into the wonderful job done by the Election Commission in conducting the recent general election.
COMMENT
As a law abiding citizen, I am truly concerned about Pakatan Rakyat’s bully antics against the Electoral Commission. The time has come for Malaysians to accept the inevitable but ultimate truth.

Barisan Nasional is the current government despite all the hue and cry by Pakatan Rakyat. Pakatan should stop lynching the EC in public and blaming the Commission for its misfortunes.
Seriously, the EC has the most unenviable job in this country. Constantly under pressure from sore losers who has never won an election in the last 50 years, it has continued to operate meekly, quietly and without a word of complaint.
Luckily, Barisan Nasional had the courtesy not to blame or hound the EC even though it managed to scrape through with 48 percent of the votes.
It is totally unfair to protest against the EC for not doing its job. As far as it is concerned, the EC had ceded to all of Bersih’s demands including the use of the indelible ink.
During the last few Black 505 rallies, Pakatan had leveled blatant accusations against the EC and calling for the resignation of the EC chief and his deputy.
Luckily the deputy prime minister and a few other BN leaders have come to their aid.
The indelible ink
And if that is not enough, the Opposition is now making a big fuss over the indelible to the extent of suing the EC, which is really going overboard.
Only RM7.1 million were spent out of the RM465 million election budget to purchase the indelible ink, how can anyone expect miracles.
MCA and Gerakan is right that the indelible ink is not only outdated, but messy, complicated, a waste of money and impractical compared to the modern biometric system. The outdated system could also have contributed to their current misfortune.
If the biometric system were used BN would have won with larger margins due to its hi-tech resistance to fraud and double voting.
Bowing to the demands of Bersih, the indelible ink were used resulting in much confusion. And being new, resistance towards its use cannot be helped.
The EC played an excellent role to ensure that the indelible ink did not touch on the sensitivities of religion, and reducing its indelibility to neutralize its carcinogenic content so that everyone would not be exposed to skin cancer or something to that effect.
It also has to ensure that the ink would be chemical free and not leave a permanent mark on the forefinger.
Moreover, silver nitrate is expensive and it was for the EC to control its modest use. The fact that only 1 percent of silver nitrate was used instead of the normal 10-18% shows that the EC and the government were prudent in its spending.
How can anyone have the cheek to accuse BN of overspending?
Since it is the first time that the ink made its debut, we should not blame the EC for making unavoidable mistakes in its mixing. In fact everyone especially the ladies were happy that the ink disappeared within a day or two.
Complaints of women refusing to vote for fear of staining their lovely nail polish including the religious sensitive was handled with great care by the EC to provide them release forms to sign.
That is why there was a near 80 percent turnout. Syabas for the EC.
The EC also did a fantastic job ensuring that the ink weren’t permanent as many people couldnt ignore the big sigh of relief from everyone nationwide, when the ink came off with persistent washing.
But if there are pro-Opposition voters who spend an hour diligently trying to wash the stain of their fingers and then suddenly get a rude shock at how quick it came off, and running of to make police reports, what can the EC do?
Over a thousand police reports were recorded much to the chagrin of the overworked police force but the EC is more concerned as to how many Opposition supporters went out vote again after discovering that the stain had come off.
But unlike pro-BN voters who would cover their fingers with tape or condom like bandages while washing or taking showers for at least two weeks, just to show off proudly that they exercise their right to vote; how many would want to take the risk to go and vote while still carrying a heavily stained forefinger?
EC’s excellent job
The fact that BN managed to retain the government with a mere 48 percent of the votes show that democracy is very much alive in this country, and that the EC did a fantastic job to ensure a free and fair election and crown the rightful winner.
In most other countries 52 percent of the vote is enough to see the demise of most governments.
So isn’t it quite justified for the BN government to reward the EC with a RM200 million bonus for a job well done?
Would not Pakatan have done the same for the EC if they had won?
Only RM465 million were spent compared to RM200 million in GE12 shows that the EC will not spare a single dime to ensure a free and fair election.
Fated to rule forever and a day
But more important the EC has ensured that our nation continues to be administered by an experienced albeit a minority government that will ensure stability and peace.
Imagine if Pakatan had won; there would be chaos and turmoil, the stock market would tumble, and Pakatan would be ousted by the army in less than a year like what is currently happening in Egypt.
There would have been an Arab Spring.
Today, the country is experiencing a rare episode of calm and collectiveness, chiefly due to the fact that BN continues to rule with wisdom and integrity. Never has the country felt so peaceful and bliss since the last election especially in the rural hinterlands.
We have also avoided a potential racial conflict and the nation is starting to heal itself. The Najib administration made an excellent choice by appointing Zahid Hamidi to the Home Ministry and switching with Hishammuddin Hussein for the Defence Ministry.
It is a matter of time before the country heals itself as BN continues to implement its transformation policies to ensure Malaysia continues to develop without hindrance.

Time to move forward

That is why it is so important for the GST to be implemented so that the country can collect an additional RM45 billion to finance its engine growth.

If not the extra RM45 billion would have gone to waste from careless overspending by Malaysians.
Even AES should not be delayed as it will save more lives while ensuring a profitable income for the government coffers to fine tune our nation’s development.
Malaysians must continue to place its trust on the government and not complain about rising cost of petrol, electricity and water.
We should be prudent and cut spending by reducing our chicken intake so that the nation can repair itself and move towards first nation status.
Billions are needed to reduce the national debt and combat corruption and Malaysians must contribute our litle bit to ensure BN continues to be in power forever.
Kuala Besut by-election
Now Pakatan Rakyat is again accusing BN of money politics after BN approved a RM35 million project to upgrade and fix the Lowvier Dam which will increase the production of paddy and a RM250 million project to deepen the estuary and build a breakwater in Kuala Besut.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has reiterated that BN is not asking for anything in return but only hope that all Kuala Besut voters turn up once again to exercise their right in the by-election.
It only goes to show how big-hearted and honest BN leaders really are.
Meanwhile, the EC had the courtesy to declare that the results of Kuala Besut by-election will be announced at 10pm at the earliest on July 24 to respect those performing Tarawikh prayers during the fasting month.
The EC is going to ensure that there would be no foul play in the by-election and BN should win before Terengganu comes to a complete standstill.
Pakatan has gone overboard by dragging EC officials to court via a civil suit over the indelible ink issue.
The EC has followed Treasury procedures in procuring the controversial indelible ink despite claims that the supplier was linked to the commission’s top officials.
It was a directly-negotiated contract which wasn’t unlawful as it was allowed by the Finance Ministry and the administrative matters and procurement were handled by the secretariat following financial procedures.
And last but not least, the Bersih People’s Tribunal on GE 13 has called on members of the public to submit evidence and/or witness statement pertaining to electoral fraud and irregularities on Malaysia’s 13th general election before Aug 16 just to ascertain whether the last election was conducted in a free and fair manner.
With so much pressure piling on the EC, how can the body continue to remain neutral, independent and transparent? It would be a matter of time before it caves in and become a slave to the Opposition.
Tour consultant, sports pilot, naturalist and satirist Iskandar Dzulkarnain has been writing a few years now. He is a FMT columnist who loves writing satirical pieces like this one.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Dasar AS tak jejas Malaysia


2013/07/24 - 06:09:43 AM 
Oleh Mahanum Abdul Aziz | mahanum_aziz@mediaprima.com.my

Kemasukan modal jangka panjang sokong pertumbuhan ekonomi negara

Langkah pengurangan rangsangan ekonomi oleh kerajaan Amerika Syarikat (AS) yang mungkin menyebabkan berlakunya pengaliran keluar modal secara besar-besaran dari Asia tidak akan memberi kesan yang ketara kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi Malaysia. 

Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, berkata negara ini mempunyai kemasukan modal jangka panjang yang kukuh dalam bentuk pelaburan swasta yang mampu menyokong kemapanan pertumbuhan ekonominya. 

Modal tempatan kukuh 

Beliau berkata, pasaran modal tempatan juga adalah kukuh untuk menyerap sebarang pengaliran keluar modal secara besar-besaran kerana sistem kewangan negara mempunyai kecairan yang tinggi dan lebihan modal tidak bertumpu kepada mana-mana sektor khusus. 

“Kita mempunyai aliran masuk modal jangka panjang kukuh yang mampu menyokong pertumbuhan berterusan. Pada suku pertama tahun ini, jumlah pelaburan yang diluluskan ialah RM49.3 bilion, mewakili peningkatan 44 peratus dalam tempoh yang sama 2012,” katanya pada Sidang Kemuncak Perbankan Malaysia ke-17 di Kuala Lumpur semalam. 

Yang hadir sama, Ketua Eksekutif Institut Strategi dan Kepimpinan Asia (ASLI), Tan Sri Michael Yeoh dan Pengarah ASLI/Penasihat Kumpulan Sunway Group, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. 

Ahmad Husni berkata, ekonomi negara berada pada landasan kukuh untuk mencapai pertumbuhan lima hingga enam peratus tahun ini didorong ekonomi domestik yang kukuh meskipun berdepan kemerosotan eksport. 

Beliau berkata, pengukuhan ekonomi negara pada masa ini disokong perbelanjaan awam, pelaburan dan penggunaan swasta yang kukuh. 

Capai sasaran defisit empat peratus 

“Kita yakin kita dengan mudah boleh mencapai pertumbuhan lima peratus tahun ini. Pada suku pertama lalu, kita mencapai pertumbuhan 4.1 peratus. Kebiasaannya, kita mula agak perlahan tetapi akan menjadi lebih baik pada suku berikutnya,” katanya. 

Ahmad Husni berkata, kerajaan juga yakin dapat mencapai sasaran defisit empat peratus tahun ini berdasarkan aliran tunai semasa yang kukuh hasil usaha kerajaan meningkatkan pendapatan negara. 

Kerajaan katanya, sedang mengkaji pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) dan rasionalisasi subsidi dalam meningkatkan lagi pendapatan negara. 

Sementara itu, Ahmad Husni berkata, sektor kewangan memainkan peranan penting dalam pembangunan ekonomi Malaysia dengan menyumbang 12 peratus kepada KDNK negara. 

Beliau berkata, sistem perbankan negara juga adalah pemangkin bagi pertumbuhan dan pembangunan sektor ekonomi yang lain dengan memastikan peruntukan modal dan sumber yang optimum. 

“Pelan Sektor Kewangan 2011-2020 yang dibangunkan Bank Negara Malaysia mengukuhkan lagi inisiatif kerajaan untuk memacu Malaysia menjadi negara maju sepenuhnya menjelang 2020,” katanya.

Tender bawah harga pasaran


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