RM4.2b untuk Bumiputera

2013/08/30 - 06:11:44 AM Oleh Magendran Rajagopal

Putrajaya: Kerajaan menyediakan peruntukan khas tambahan sebanyak RM4.2 bilion untuk empat lagi projek mega yang akan diagihkan kepada syarikat Bumiputera. 

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, berkata peruntukan di bawah inisiatif peruntukan khas Bumiputera itu memberi peluang kepada syarikat terbabit menyertai projek Menara Warisan Merdeka, Bukit Bintang City Centre, Pembangunan Tanah RRI Sungai Buloh dan Pusat Pameran MATRADE. 

Buka peluang 

"Sebanyak 40 peratus daripada nilai projek ini diperuntukkan kepada syarikat Bumiputera yang secara langsung membuka peluang kontrak bernilai RM4.2 bilion," katanya pada sidang media selepas mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Agenda Bumiputera (MTAB), di sini semalam. 

Ada antara empat projek itu sedang dilaksanakan seperti Pusat Pameran Matrade, manakala Menara Warisan masih di peringkat awal dan tempoh pelaksanaan sedang diputuskan. Projek Bukit Bintang City Centre pula dalam peringkat penentuan dari segi permohonan untuk cadangan, manakala Pembangunan Tanah RRI dijangka dimulakan tidak lama lagi. 

Empat projek ini mempunyai garis masa berbeza tetapi dijangka dalam lima tahun akan datang, projek ini akan dilaksanakan dan ada yang siap sepenuhnya, katanya. 

Najib berkata, MTAB membincangkan kedudukan keseluruhan ekuiti korporat Bumiputera dan mengikut perangkaan Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU), ekuiti korporat Bumiputera meningkat daripada 23.09 peratus pada 2010 kepada 23.45 peratus pada 2011. 

Penyertaan Bumiputera 

MTAB juga berpendapat langkah lebih berkesan perlu untuk memantapkan penyertaan Bumiputera, terutama pemilikan ekuiti, peluang pekerjaan, peluang perniagaan dan pendidikan, katanya. 

Beliau berkata, untuk membincangkan dasar dan pendekatan yang lebih berkesan, satu perjumpaan dijangka diadakan 14 September ini di mana dasar dan strategi serta program intervensi berdasarkan pendekatan baru bertujuan memantap serta memperkasakan agenda ekonomi Bumiputera akan diumumkan. 

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Najib berkata, mesyuarat membincangkan mengenai Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans Pasifik (TPPA) dan Unit Peneraju Agenda BumiputeraTERAJU diberi tanggungjawab mengkaji kesannya kepada ekonomi Bumiputera. 

Ditanya mengenai pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST), Perdana Menteri berkata, ia sudah lama dibangkitkan dan banyak dialog diadakan tetapi enggan mengesahkan sama ada ia akan dimasukkan dalam Bajet 2014 yang akan dibentangkan Oktober ini. 

Beliau juga mengumumkan TERAJU berjaya wujudkan peluang dan program pembangunan ekonomi Bumiputera bernilai RM18.2 bilion sejak penubuhannya dua setengah tahun lalu. 

Geran mudah cara 

Sehingga Ogos tahun ini, TERAJU meluluskan geran mudah cara sebanyak RM412.4 juta kepada 87 projek yang dilaksanakan syarikat Bumiputera dalam pelbagai sektor dengan nilai pelaburan berjumlah RM3.7 bilion. 

Inisiatif turut membantu TERAJU mewujudkan kira-kira 13,000 peluang pekerjaan dan pada masa sama, penyertaan syarikat Bumiputera dalam program Syarikat Bumiputera Berprestasi Tinggi atau (TeraS) meningkat kepada 450 syarikat. 

Di bawah program TeraS, TERAJU menyediakan Dana Teras di beberapa institusi kewangan untuk pembiayaan modal kerja dan aset berjumlah RM1.62 bilion. Sehingga kini, RM387 juta diluluskan kepada 91 syarikat Bumiputera. 

Sebelum ini, TERAJU sudah menyediakan peluang kontrak bernilai RM9.1 bilion dalam projek Aliran Transit Massa (MRT) kepada syarikat Bumiputera yang bersaing dan diagihkan berdasarkan kepada merit.

Momentum builds for GST as Putrajaya seeks to trim deficit

August 29, 2013UPDATED: August 29, 2013 02:37 pm

Ringgit notes are seen among other currency notes in this file photo illustration.
Malaysians will have to pay more for goods and services when GST is introduced. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — The government gave its clearest signal yet today that it will introduce the controversial goods and services tax (GST) soon with global economic headwinds bearing down on the country.

Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said today that GST is a must, and not an option.

“GST is a must, it’s not an option already.

“We are trying our very best to include it in this year’s budget, maybe if everybody agrees,” he said during a question-and-answer session here at the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) mid-year briefing.

He also confirmed reports that GST could be included in the Budget 2014 proposals that would be tabled in Parliament on October 25, and indicated that Malaysians can expect to see the tax being imposed possibly by 2015.

“If the government announces, it will take about 14 months to implement,” he said.

“If they announce this year, then it would come on line in 2015,” he added.

Mohd Irwan also indicated that the government would take a holistic approach in tackling tax reforms, saying: “We will also look at corporate tax, we will also look at personal tax, it will be a total package, nobody will be left out.”

Irwan also moved to fend off attacks on the proposed GST, saying: “The ultimate aim of the GST is to take care of the country and people so anything we introduce, we won’t burden the people.”

He said there would be tax rebates for small and medium enterprises, pointing out that the government has identified a list of basic necessities such as rice which will be exempted from GST.

Putrajaya had previously deferred introducing GST as Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders were not willing to add to the opposition’s arsenal in the keenly contested general election in May.

But with elections over and the country’s fiscal deficit becoming a major economic issue, Putrajaya is now accelerating moves to introduce the broad-based tax.

Malaysia’s fiscal deficit has already widened to RM14.9 billion.

The implementation of GST could help the country broaden its tax base and reduce the government’s reliance on dividends from state oil company Petronas.

Malaysia runs a relatively high government debt of 53 per cent of gross domestic product and has one of Asia’s highest household debt levels.

Ratings agency Fitch cut its outlook on Malaysia’s A-minus sovereign debt to negative from stable in July, citing a lack of reform to tackle rising debt.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/momentum-builds-for-gst-as-putrajaya-seeks-to-trim-deficit#sthash.RrSN5jPt.dpuf

Govt to better target spending

Publication: NST

Date of publication: Aug 29, 2013

Section heading: Main Section

Page number: 002

Byline / Author: By Khairah N. Karim

KUALA LUMPUR: THE implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) and other measures to strengthen the country's economic position will be discussed at the government's Fiscal Policy Committee (FPC) meeting on Monday.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah said the meeting, to be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, would deliberate on three areas: revenue enhancement, expenditure management and improving governance and work processes.

GST, a broad-based consumption tax initially scheduled for implementation in the third quarter of 2011, was postponed following calls for consumers to be educated first on how it worked before its implementation. It will be imposed on the sale of goods and services, and replace the sales-and-service tax of between five and 10 per cent.

GST will allow the government to reduce corporate and income taxes to encourage investments.

It is also an option to be considered by the government to raise revenue in the wake of a challenging external economic environment.

The rate has yet to be determined but is expected to be included in the 2014 Budget. However, the implementation may take take place 12 to 15 months later, possibly on Jan 1, 2015, to give time to industries and consumers to understand how it is implemented.

Apart from GST, the real property gains tax will also be reviewed at the FPC meeting to rein in rising property prices and curb speculation.

RPGT was raised last year to 15 per cent from 10 per cent for properties sold within two years of purchase. The government had also raised RPGT to 10 per cent from five per cent for properties sold between two and five years after they were bought.

Husni said the committee would discuss the need for subsidies rationalisation. Subsidies rationalisation, coupled with the implementation of GST and hike in RPGT, are expected to reduce the fiscal deficit.

He said the government was committed to achieving three guiding principles of fiscal policy: the government's debt would not exceed 55 per cent of the gross domestic product, revenue would always exceed operating expenditure and the fiscal deficit for this year would not exceed four per cent of the GDP.

He said the government was exploring measures to rationalise and better target expenditure, including subsidies, "to ensure value for money spending".

"Projects that will have a big impact on public finances will also be reviewed and sequenced properly to avoid putting a strain on the budget."

At the same time, he said, the government was committed to continuing the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) payments to the lower-income group.

"In the long term, the government plans to introduce a social safety net for vulnerable groups in 2015."

Following the narrowing of the current account surplus, Husni said all future public sector projects would be carefully considered.

"Those with low import content and high multiplier effects will be given priority."

Govt will try to include GST in 2014 Budget — Treasury sec-gen

Posted on August 30, 2013, Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will try its best to include the goods and services tax (GST) in the 2014 Budget, said Secretary-General of Ministry of Finance, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

Mohd Irwan said the ultimate aim was to take care of the country and not to burden the people.

“There will be some rebates and zero-rated items for necessities such as rice and milk powder,” he said at the Economic Transformation Programme mid-year briefing here yesterday.

He said the GST would take 14 months to be implemented after it was announced.

“GST is a must, it is not an option,” he said.

Mohd Irwan said if the GST was implemented it would be a total package, as corporate and personal taxes would also be looked at.

On subsidy rationalisation, he said an annoucement would be made, the earliest by next week.

“It will be a gradual liberalisation and won’t impact the economy. The reforms will take into account the public at large,” he said.

He said the economy faced challenging times due to lower growth and sinking current account balance.

In this respect, he said, government spending on projects needed to be prioritised.

“We need to identify what are the projects with high import contents and low multiplier effect. However, private projects can go on,” he said.

Large infrastructure projects such as the mass rapid transit, he said, should carry on. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/30/govt-will-try-to-include-gst-in-2014-budget-treasury-sec-gen/#ixzz2dPo13JKg

Pelaksanaan GST sedang dikaji

by Jessica Jawing. Posted on August 30, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: Kerajaan sedang melakukan kajian mengenai pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) kerana pelaksanaan cukai baharu itu masih perlu diteliti bagi memastikan ia mengambil kira kesannya kepada ekonomi negara secara keseluruhan dan kepada rakyat.

Menteri Kewangan Kedua Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah berkata, pelaksanaan itu tidak hanya tertumpu kepada hasil kewangan kepada kerajaan semata-mata tetapi juga untuk kesejahteraan rakyat negara ini.

“Sekarang kita sedang melakukan kajian dari segi pelaksanaannya kerana kita perlu melihat bagaimana kesan kepada ekonomi Malaysia terutama dari segi Indeks Harga Pengguna (CPI) kerana kita mahu memastikan jika berlaku kenaikan harga barang, berapa peningkatan kenaikan.

“Selain itu kita juga perlu melihat bagaimana ia akan menjejaskan rakyat kerana pada akhirnya nanti kerajaan di bawah pimpinan Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang mengutamakan kesejahteraan rakyat,” katanya ketika ditemui pemberita selepas merasmikan Hari Terbuka Kementerian Kewangan 2013 di Akademi Kastam Diraja Malaysia (AKMAL) Cawangan Sarawak di sini, semalam.

Sehubungan itu, beliau menjelaskan bahawa jika ia dilaksanakan sekalipun ia akan melihat kepada kesan kepada harga dan kesan kepada isi rumah termasuk golongan yang mendapat Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) tidak terkena kesan dan Perdana Menteri yang akan mengumumkan mengenainya.

Malah kerajaan mempunyai Makmal Perbendaharaan (Treasury Lab) untuk melihat ekonomi negara bukan sahaja berpaksikan pada soal GST tetapi keseluruhan ekonomi Malaysia.

“Ini kerana kita sedang berhadapan dengan ekonomi dunia yang malap dan tidak tahu bila ia akan pulih.

“Untuk memastikan eko-nomi domestik tetap kukuh, maka Makmal Perbendaharaan ini akan melihat ke-seluruhannya bukan sahaja kewangan tetapi ekonomi negara,” tegasnya.

Menurut Ahmad Husni, bagaimanapun Malaysia ma-sih mempunyai ekonomi yang kukuh berbanding banyak negara lain dan dengan itu kerajaan cuba mencari inisiatif terbaik untuk diperkenalkan terutama dalam Belanjawan 2014.

Hadir sama Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Setiausaha Persekutuan Sarawak Datuk Md Yahaya Basimin, Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan (Pengurusan) Datuk Nozirah Bahari dan Pegawai Kewangan Perse-kutuan Sarawak Datu Jabidah Monseri.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/30/pelaksanaan-gst-sedang-dikaji/#ixzz2dPkuUJMx

‘Budget 2014 to give priority to state’s infrastructure devt’

by Jonathan Chia, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on August 30, 2013, Friday

HIGH SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM: Ahmad Husni (third left) together with (from left) Yahaya,
Morshidi, Nozirah and Jabidah waving the Jalur Gemilang as they sing a patriotic song.
— Photo by Edmund Chang

KUCHING: The federal government will put infrastructure development of the state as its top priority in Budget 2014.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said this is because the matter was brought up many times during the budget consultation held in the state.

“As for Sarawak, we will give priority to infrastructure needs because they were raised many times (during the budget consultation held in Sarawak). We will also be looking at other things as well,” he told reporters after launching Finance Ministry Open Day 2013 at state Royal Malaysian Customs Department Academy here yesterday.

Among those present were state secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, state federal secretary Datuk

Md Yahaya Basimin, deputychief treasury secretary (Management) Datuk Nozirah Bahari and federal state financial officer Datu Jabidah Monseri.

Ahmad Husni stated that in total, the Finance Ministry had received 100 memoranda during the budget consultations held throughout the country and the ministry is currently in the process of finalising all of them.

“We have 15 focus groups and we still have a few more which are not completed. One of the important focus groups that have yet to be completed is the Happiness Index which the government introduced this year.

“By the middle of September, we will complete our draft on the type of Budget for the coming year.”

On Goods and Services Tax (GST), Ahmad Husni said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also finance

minister, will make the announcement on whether it will be implemented.

“If GST is implemented and if there is price increase, the government will ensure that target groups such as those receiving Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia will not be affected.”

He said the ministry, through its treasury lab, is conducting detailed study on the effect of GST on the economy, especially to the Consumer Price Index.

“We will look into the effect of GST on prices and households when it is implemented. We want to know when there is price increase, how high will it be.

“We also want to know how it will affect the people because at the end of the day, the people’s wellbeing is the priority of the government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. That is why this year we have Happiness Index as one of the focus groups.”

Besides conducting study on GST, Ahmad Husni said the treasury lab is also tasked with studying the country’s economy.

“The outlook of the world economy now is very dim and we don’t know when the situation will recover. It can affect our country’s economy, especially export which had started to slow down since end of last year.”

Despite the slowdown in the world economy, the country’s economy remains strong compared to other world economies, he said, adding that the nation needs to ensure that the domestic economy is strong.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/30/budget-2014-to-give-priority-to-states-infrastructure-devt/#ixzz2dPpEA0uH

GST implementation a must

Published: Friday August 30, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM 

Updated: Friday August 30, 2013 MYT 7:10:09 AM

BY NG BEI SHAN BEISHAN@THESTAR.COM.MY

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of a goods and services tax (GST) is a must and not an option.

Secretary-General of Treasury Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said at the half-year Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) update that the Government was trying its best to include it in Budget 2014 if everyone was agreeable to it.

Dr Mohd Irwan added that it would only be in place in 2015 if the Government announced it in the coming budget as it would take 14 months for the GST to be implemented.

According to him, the Government would take an overall view of the existing tax system, including looking into personal and corporate taxes, in implementing the GST.

“The ultimate aim of the GST is to take care of the country and the people, so anything we introduce will not burden the people.

“There will be some form of rebate for various individuals and small and medium enterprises,” he said, adding that basic necessities such as rice and infant formula milk would be classified as zero-rated items.

To tackle the country’s fiscal deficit, the spending on big public projects was also being reviewed.

Dr Mohd Irwan said it was a challenging period as Malaysia’s current account shrank to RM2.6bil in the second quarter but assured that the Mass Rapid Transit project “would go on”.

He added that the revision of the fiscal policy would leave some impact on the economy but the growth path was intact.

On the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala, who was also there, said: “I am of the view that we should be part of the TPPA but we have to make sure it is on our terms that are acceptable to other countries that are part of it.”

He told the audience that the TPPA was an ongoing negotiation and that nothing had been signed yet.

He also said the negotiating team had a clear set of mandates and would negotiate based on the nation’s and people’s interests.

Idris explained that the TPPA could be a platform to increase the country’s share of global trade and that Malaysia should be active in shaping and influencing the agreement as an early entrant.

Konsultasi Bajet 2014 selesai

KUCHING 29 Ogos - Majlis Konsultasi Bajet 2014 yang berlangsung di Semenanjung, Sarawak dan Sabah sejak Jun lalu berjaya mengumpul kira-kira 100 memorandum daripada pelbagai pihak untuk dipertimbang bagi merangka belanjawan negara akan datang.

Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah berkata, selepas majlis ketiga di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah pada 22 Ogos lalu, proses menyiapkan draf Bajet 2014 kini memasuki fasa akhir.

Draf berkenaan, kata beliau, dijangka siap pertengahan bulan depan untuk diteliti dan dimuktamadkan sebelum dibentangkan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Oktober ini.

“Daripada 15 kumpulan fokus yang terlibat dalam Bajet 2014, ada beberapa kumpulan yang belum selesai. Salah satu daripadanya adalah berkenaan Indeks Kesejahteraan dan perkara ini sedang kita laksanakan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Hari Terbuka Kementerian Kewangan 2013 di Akademi Kastam Diraja Malaysia (Akmal) Sarawak, di sini hari ini.

Ahmad Husni memberitahu, pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) tidak semestinya diumumkan dalam pembentangan Bajet 2014.

Menurut beliau, setakat ini, pihaknya masih mengkaji kesan pelaksanaan dasar itu terhadap ekonomi.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20130830/dn_06/Konsultasi-Bajet-2014-selesai#ixzz2dPdeRgLD 

© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd 

GST boleh dilaksana 2015

Oleh FADZIL ZAINOL

ekonomi@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Ogos - Pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) dijangka paling awal boleh dilaksanakan ialah pada 2015.

Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Kewangan, Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Irwan Siregar Abdullah berkata, kerajaan berusaha untuk memasukkan cadangan pelaksanaan GST di dalam Bajet 2014, yang akan dibentangkan pada 25 Oktober ini.

Beliau berkata, jika benar pengumuman GST dilakukan, pelaksanaannya akan dilakukan secara berperingkat dan mengambil tempoh selama 14 bulan.

Tempoh itu membolehkan penguatkuasaan cukai itu bermula sepenuhnya pada 2015, jelasnya lagi.

"Apa pun, kerajaan akan memperkenalkan kaedah lain untuk mengurangkan beban rakyat dan perniagaan kecil-kecilan.

"Antara kaedahnya ialah seperti pemberian rebat, cukai sifar ke atas produk keperluan asas seperti beras dan susu tepung kanak-kanak.

"Kami sudah mengenal pasti beberapa produk yang tidak akan dikenakan cukai," katanya semasa sesi soal jawab selepas pembentangan mengenai pencapaian Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP) sehingga separuh pertama tahun 2013, di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

Jelas Mohd. Irwan Siregar lagi, GST tidak harus dianggap sebagai alternatif, sebaliknya merupakan satu keperluan kepada negara ini.

"Cukai ini akan meningkatkan serta mempelbagaikan pendapatan kerajaan berbanding kebergantungan terhadap minyak serta mengurangkan defisit kerajaan," katanya.

Ujarnya lagi, satu mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Polisi Fiskal yang akan dipengerusikan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Isnin depan, bakal membincangkan penyusunan perbelanjaan negara, termasuklah melaksanakan program rasionalisasi subsidi.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130830/ek_01/GST-boleh-dilaksana-2015#ixzz2dPZFFADA 

© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd 

Govt working to include GST in Budget 2014

Posted on 30 August 2013 - 05:39am

Eva Yeong sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 30, 2013): The government is working to include the long-delayed consumption tax in the upcoming Budget 2014 for it to be introduced by 2015, said Finance Ministry secretary-general of Treasury Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, adding that the goods and services tax (GST) is "no longer an option".

"We are going around having dialogues and discussions. It will take 14 months to implement (the GST) and if they (government) announce it this year, it will come online only in 2015. And if we were to implement, it will be a total package... addressing corporate tax, personal tax, everything. Nobody will be left out," he said at the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) mid-year review yesterday.

"But the ultimate aim of the GST is to take care of the country and the people, so anything we introduce will not burden the people. We will take care in terms of the tax burden on the people," he added.

Mohd Irwan said various rebates and zero-rated items have been identified. The zero-rated items are basic necessities such as rice and milk powder.

He also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak will make an announcement on the subsidy rationalisation programme (SRP) soon.

"It (subsidies) will go gradually and won't impact the economy or the people at large. It's a gradual sort of liberalisation," he said, adding that the Fiscal Policy Committee will meet on Monday for further discussion.

He said the savings from the SRP will be re-allocated to the deserving public in the form of BR1M and other forms of assistance.

"The announcement of the overall package (for the SRP) will come gradually, starting most probably next week," he added.

Meanwhile, in Kuching, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah was reported as saying that the GST need not necessarily be announced during the tabling of Budget 2014.

"We are still studying its effects on the economy. We want to ensure, if there is increase in prices, how high the increase would be and how it might affect the rakyat, as in the end, priority is given to the well-being of the rakyat," he told reporters after launching the Finance Ministry's Open Day 2013 at the Royal Malaysian Customs Academy Sarawak yesterday.

The introduction of GST has been a hot topic for debate, with economists and tax experts expressing differing views on the appropriate initial rate.

At the ETP mid-year review yesterday, Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) CEO Datuk Seri Idris Jala said 86% of RM25.42 billion in committed investments for projects in 2011 and 2012 have been realised.

"The realisation rate of these investments are healthy and we are on track towards meeting our targets for the year," he said.

He said it is confident of achieving the 2013 fiscal deficit target of 4% and government tax revenue this year is expected to exceed the RM207.9 billion recorded last year. The government tax revenue for the first half of 2013 stood at RM95.4 billion.

Growth of private investment is also on track, from 58% of total investments last year to 65.7% for the first half of this year. Total private investments have increased from RM94 billion in 2011 to RM140.18 billion in 2012.

Jala said the 2013 target for private investments is RM148.4 billion and it has already achieved 57.7% of the target or RM85.7 billion during the first half of the year.

He said the ETP will continue to anchor economic growth despite the tougher economic outlook this year as a result of developments in the global economy.

Kementerian Kewangan dalam proses siapkan draf Belanjawan 2014

2013/08/29 - 17:09:25 PM

DATUK Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah (tiga dari kiri) merasmikan Hari Terbuka Kementerian Kewangan 2013 di Akademi Kastam Diraja Malaysia (Akmal) Sarawak, di sini, hari ini. - Foto Mohd Radzi Bujang

KUCHING: Kementerian Kewangan kini dalam proses menyiapkan draf Belanjawan 2014 selepas menerima kira-kira 100 memorandum daripada pelbagai pihak untuk dipertimbangkan, sepanjang Majlis Konsultasi Belanjawan 2014 dijalankan sejak Jun lalu. 

Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, berkata sejak Jun lalu, majlis tersebut diadakan di Semenanjung, Sarawak dan Sabah, dan 

selepas majlis ketiga di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah pada 22 Ogos, proses menyiapkan draf Belanjawan 2014 kini memasuki fasa akhir. "Draf berkenaan dijangka siap pada pertengahan September untuk diteliti dan dimuktamadkan sebelum dibentangkan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak pada Oktober depan. 

"Daripada 15 kumpulan fokus yang terbabit dalam Belanjawan 2014, ada beberapa kumpulan yang belum selesai. Antaranya berkenaan Indeks Kesejahteraan, dan perkara ini sedang kita laksanakan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Hari Terbuka Kementerian Kewangan 2013 di Akademi Kastam Diraja Malaysia (Akmal) Sarawak, di sini, hari ini. 

Turut hadir Setiausaha Persekutuan Sarawak, Datuk Md Yahya Basimin; Setiausaha Kerajaan negeri, Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani serta Pegawai Kewangan Persekutuan Sarawak, Datuk Jabidah Monseri. 

Sementara itu, ketika ditanya mengenai pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST), Ahmad Husni berkata perkara berkenaan tidak semestinya diumumkan dalam pembentangan Belanjawan 2014. 

"Kita masih mengkaji kesannya terhadap ekonomi. Kita mahu pastikan kalau berlaku kenaikan harga, berapa tinggi kenaikan tersebut dan kesannya ke atas rakyat, kerana pada akhirnya, keutamaan adalah untuk kesejahteraan rakyat," katanya. 

- BERNAMA

Usaha perangi jenayah bukan 'cari salah'

PUTRAJAYA 29 Ogos - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mahu usaha memerangi jenayah seperti yang dilaksana di bawah Op Cantas diadakan secara berterusan bagi memastikan rakyat dapat hidup tanpa rasa takut dan bimbang.

Perdana Menteri berkata, usaha terkini termasuk pengumuman senarai kongsi gelap tidak dilakukan secara drastik serta bukan bertujuan mencari kesalahan (witch-hunt).

Beliau berkata, tindakan itu sebaliknya mendapat sokongan rakyat yang mengharapkan tindakan tegas dan berkesan diambil pihak berkuasa kerana tidak mahu hidup dalam kebimbangan.

"Ini merupakan ketetapan yang dibuat kerajaan supaya sesuatu dapat dilakukan secara bersungguh-sungguh dan komprehensif melalui Kementerian Dalam Negeri dan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM).

"Arahan telah diberikan dan tindakan yang diambil bukan atas arahan kerajaan sahaja tetapi mendapat sokongan rakyat," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Agenda Bumiputera (MTAB) di Bangunan Perdana Putra, di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas berhubung dakwaan sama ada usaha-usaha Op Cantas dan pengumuman senarai kongsi gelap oleh Kementerian Dalam Negeri dijalankan terlalu drastik.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Najib mengingatkan semua anggota pentadbiran dalam kerajaan supaya sentiasa sealiran dan senada dalam menangani isu yang timbul.

Sebelum ini, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menegur Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, P. Waythamoorthy kerana mempertikai tindakan polis menembak mati lima ahli kongsi gelap di Pulau Pinang.

Sementara itu, ditanya tindakan kerajaan DAP Pulau Pinang mengharamkan tayangan filem Tanda Putera, Najib berkata, panggung wayang mempunyai kebebasan menayangkan filem tersebut termasuk di negeri berkenaan kerana negara ini adalah bebas.

"Saya tak pasti kuasa kerajaan negeri (dalam hal penayangan filem), tetapi kita sebuah negara yang bebas. DAP sendiri pun selalu bersuara tentang kebebasan," katanya.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Najib berkata, kerajaan masih mengkaji implikasi Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPPA) yang mana input daripada Unit Teraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) akan diambil kira untuk mengenal pasti kesannya kepada penyertaan bumiputera.

Berhubung pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) pula, Najib tidak memberi jawapan mutlak sama ada cukai tersebut akan diumumkan dalam Bajet 2014.

"GST ini bukan perkara baharu, dialog dan perbincangan telah diadakan. Soal sama ada masuk dalam bajet atau tidak, kita kena tunggulah, kandungan Bajet 2014 tidak akan diberitahu lebih awal," katanya.

Menjawab soalan mengenai keadaan defisit pula, Najib berkata, langkah-langkah kawalan hanya akan diumumkan pada masa yang sesuai.

"Kerajaan sedang memantau, pasaran harapkan kita mengurus defisit dan imbangan pembayaran supaya pihak berkenaan yakin dengan pengurusan fiskal mikro dan makro negara ini. Perkara ini akan diumumkan pada masa bersesuaian," katanya.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20130830/dn_03/Usaha-perangi-jenayah-bukan-'cari-salah'#ixzz2dPdyGyVh 

© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd 

Negara perlu dasar fiskal baharu

ARKIB : 29/08/2013

Oleh MOHD. RIDZWAN IMAN
ridzwan@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Ogos - Pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST), rasionalisasi subsidi dan kajian semula Cukai Keuntungan Harta Tanah (RPGT) adalah antara beberapa langkah fiskal baharu yang boleh dilaksanakan kerajaan bagi memastikan pertumbuhan berterusan ekonomi negara.

Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah berkata, kesesuaian langkah-langkah itu akan dibentangkan dalam mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Polisi Fiskal minggu depan dalam usaha kerajaan melaksanakan pengurusan perbelanjaan lebih baik dan meningkatkan pendapatan negara.

"Mesyuarat jawatankuasa yang akan dipengerusikan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak itu akan melihat segala pilihan yang ada bagi memastikan kedudukan ekonomi negara kekal kukuh," katanya dalam sesi taklimat media mengenai dasar fiskal baharu kerajaan di sini, hari ini.

Beliau berkata, dasar-dasar baharu perlu diperkenalkan kerana Malaysia kini sedang menghadapi keadaan ekonomi yang mencabar akibat penurunan eksport disebabkan keadaan ekonomi dunia yang lemah.

"Selain itu, terdapat juga kebimbangan mengenai ketidakseimbangan pasaran hartanah, peningkatan jumlah hutang isi rumah, peningkatan hutang kerajaan dan defisit fiskal," katanya.

Walaupun demikian, katanya, kerajaan tetap komited untuk mencapai tiga garis panduan dalam dasar fiskal iaitu hutang negara tidak akan melebihi 55 peratus daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), perolehan sentiasa melebihi perbelanjaan operasi dan defisit fiskal 2013 tidak akan melebihi empat peratus dari KDNK.

Beliau berkata, untuk tahun ini, kerajaan telah memperuntukkan sejumlah besar peruntukan untuk subsidi, insentif dan bantuan sosial.

"Kerajaan juga sedang mengkaji langkah-langkah untuk menyusun semula dan perbelanjaan sasaran yang lebih baik, termasuk subsidi, bagi memastikan perbelanjaan mempunyai lebih nilai.

"Projek-projek yang mempunyai impak besar kepada kewangan awam juga akan dikaji dan disusun dengan betul, untuk mengelak bebanan berlebihan kepada belanjawan persekutuan," kata beliau.

Bagaimanapun, Husni berkata, kerajaan tetap komited untuk meneruskan pembayaran Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) kepada kumpulan berpendapatan rendah.

Katanya, kerajaan juga akan memperkenalkan belanjawan berasaskan hasil (OBB) di Kementerian Kewangan, Kesihatan serta Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, dalam usaha untuk meningkatkan lagi pengurusan berhemat perbelanjaan kerajaan.

Beliau berkata, ketiga-tiga kementerian utama itu akan menjadi sebahagian daripada program perintis bagi OBB.

Di samping itu, bidang-bidang lain yang boleh dipertimbang dalam pelaksanaan dasar fiskal baharu, termasuk mengubah pemberian subsidi secara menyeluruh kepada sistem yang lebih efisien iaitu terus kepada golongan sasaran.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130829/ek_01/Negara-perlu-dasar-fiskal-baharu#ixzz2dPeOK2g6 

© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd 

Najib announces RM4.2 billion projects for Bumiputera firms

Posted on August 30, 2013, Friday

MORE OPPORTUNITIES: Najib (centre) chairs the Bumiputera Agenda Action Council meeting here yesterday.
The prime minister announced an additional RM4.2 billion worth of opportunities for
Bumiputera companies to participate in four mega projects. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday announced an additional RM4.2 billion worth of opportunities for Bumiputera companies to participate in four mega projects.

He said the government has agreed to extend the opportunities to Bumiputera firms to part take in the Menara Warisan Merdeka, Bukit Bintang City Centre, development of the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) land in Sungai Buloh and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) exhibition centre.

About 40 per cent of the total value of the projects would be reserved for Bumiputera companies and the rest would be distributed via open tenders, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, told a media briefing after chairing the Bumiputera Agenda Action Council meeting, here.

Of the four projects, some are already being implemented such as the Matrade Exhibition Centre while the Menara Warisan is still in the preliminary stage although the timeline for the project is being determined.

“For the Bukit Bintang City Centre project, it is in the request for proposal stage, while the development of the RRI land is expected to start soon,” the prime minister said.

Najib said the four projects have varied timelines but they are expected to be implemented over the next five years and some would have been completed by then.

He said the Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju), the lead coordinator in driving the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Programme, set up two-and-a-half-years ago, has created RM18.2 billion worth of business opportunities, financing and human capital development for Bumiputera companies through strategic collaboration with various government agencies and private firms.

“Up to August 2013, Teraju has approved facilitation grants totalling RM412.2 million for 87 projects implemented by Bumiputera companies from diverse sectors, with private investments amounting to RM3.7 billion.

“This initiative has helped towards creating about 13,000 job opportunities,” he said.

Najib also said the participation of Bumiputera companies in the High Performing Bumiputera Companies Programme (Teras) has increased to 450 companies.

“Under the Teras programme, Teras has established a Teras Fund in several financial institutions to finance working capital and assets totalling RM1.62 billion.

“To date, RM387 million has been approved to 91 Bumiputera companies. Before this, Teraju has provided contract opportunities worth RM9.1 billion in the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project to bidding Bumiputera firms.

“The contracts were awarded based on merit,” he said.

Najib said the Bumiputera Agenda Action Council also discussed the overall position of Bumiputeras including their corporate equity based on the statistics furnished by the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department.

He said the Bumiputeras’ corporate equity has increased from 23.09 per cent in 2010 to 23.45 per cent in 2011.

“The council opines that significant measures must be taken to strengthen Bumiputeras’ participation, particularly in equity ownership, job and business opportunities as well as in education.

“To come up with policies and approaches that can be further improved on the measures to be more efficient, a meeting will be held on Sept 14.

“At that meeting, policies and strategies as well as intervention programmes based on new approaches to enhance and empower the Bumiputera Economic Agenda will be announced.

“Currently, we are still preparing the inputs from various quarters, and at the meeting the new meaures to be implemented by the government will be tabled,” he said.

On the latest progress in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)negotiations,, Najib said the agreement is still being studied, including by Teraju, on its impact on Bumiputeras’ participation.

He said the government will also take inputs from Teraju.

Asked on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Najib said discussions and dialogues with interest groups have already been held.

“On whether the GST will be included in the 2014 Budget or not, we will have to wait,” he said.

Najib will table the budget in Parliament on Oct 25.

On the narrowing current account surplus, the prime minister said: “I will comment on it when it’s appropriate.

The government is monitoring the situation very closely.

“It means that the market expects us to manage our deficit and balance of payment in a way to ensure the market will have confidence in the micro and fiscal management of the country.

“The details relating to that matter will be announced when it is appropriate,” he added.

The Finance Ministry is currently monitoring the narrowing current account surplus by considering thoroughly future public sector projects.

Projects with low import content and high multiplier effect will be given priority without compromising on the economic growth. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/30/najib-announces-rm4-2-billion-projects-for-bumiputera-firms/#ixzz2dPqiJjHZ

Penyusunan semula GST, RPGT dibincang Isnin

Publication: BH

Date of publication: Aug 29, 2013

Section heading: Bisnes

Page number: 001

Penyusunan semula subsidi, pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) serta kajian semula terhadap Cukai Keuntungan Hartanah (RPGT) adalah antara inisiatif dan pilihan yang akan dibincangkan semasa mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Dasar Fiskal pada Isnin minggu depan bagi memastikan kedudukan ekonomi dan fiskal negara kekal kukuh.

Menteri Kewangan kedua, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah berkata, mesyuarat yang akan dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak itu bakal menumpukan kepada tiga bidang utama, iaitu pengurusan perbelanjaan kerajaan lebih cekap, meningkatkan pendapatan serta menambah baik kawal selia dan proses kerja.

"Mesyuarat itu akan membentangkan untuk kelulusan pelbagai inisiatif dan pilihan bagi memastikan ekonomi dan kedudukan fiskal Malaysia kekal kukuh dan mampan, dalam tempoh terdekat dan sederhana," katanya kepada media di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Hutang meningkat

Ahmad Husni menjelaskan, Malaysia kini berada dalam ke-dudukan ekonomi sangat mencabar berikutan kelembapan ekonomi luar yang menjejas-kan eksport, iaitu pemacu uta-ma pertumbuhan ekonomi negara.

Beliau berkata, kebimbangan juga semakin meningkat terha-dap ketidakseimbangan pasaran hartanah, peningkatan hutang isi rumah, hutang kerajaan yang meningkat dan defisit fiskal.

Di sebalik latar belakang itu, katanya, kerajaan terus komited mencapai tiga prinsip dasar fiskal, iaitu memastikan hutang Kerajaan Persekutuan tidak lebih 55 peratus daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), pendapatan sentiasa melebihi perbelanjaan mengurus, dan defisit fiskal untuk 2013 ini tidak melebihi empat peratus nilai KDNK.

Ahmad Husni menjelaskan, bagi tahun ini, kerajaan telah memperuntukkan sejumlah besar untuk subsidi, insentif dan bantuan sosial.

Kerajaan, katanya sedang mengkaji langkah menyusun semula perbelanjaan dengan sasaran lebih baik, termasuk subsidi, bagi memastikan setiap dibelanjakan memberi hasil dan manfaat maksimum.

Projek dengan impak besar kepada kewangan kerajaan juga, katanya akan dikaji dan disusun semula untuk mengelakkan bebanan berlebihan kepada bajet persekutuan.

Susun semula perbelanjaan

"Bagi meningkatkan pengurusan perbelanjaan berhemah, Belanjawan Berasaskan Hasil (OBB) akan diperkenalkan yang akan dirintis Kementerian Kewangan, Kementerian Kesihatan serta Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri," katanya.

Ahmad Husni bagaimanapun berkata, kerajaan terus komited meneruskan pembayaran BR1M kepada kumpulan berpendapatan rendah.

Katanya, untuk jangka panjang, kerajaan akan memperkenalkan sistem jaringan keselamatan sosial komprehensif untuk golongan memerlukan yang disasarkan dilaksanakan pada 2015.

"Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU) ditugaskan mengetuai pasukan yang akan mencadangkan sistem itu," katanya sambil menambah bidang lain yang boleh dipertimbangkan termasuk mengubah pemberian subsidi secara menyeluruh sekarang, kepada yang menumpu kepada golongan sasaran.

Beliau menegaskan, Kementerian Kewangan juga melihat untuk menangani masalah pengurangan dalam lebihan akaun semasa.

Bagi tujuan itu, katanya projek sektor awam masa pada masa depan akan dipertimbangkan dengan teliti, dengan mengambil kira kedudukan akaun semasa imbangan pembayaran.

"Hanya projek sektor awam dengan kandungan import rendah dan kesan penggandaan tinggi akan diutamakan. Untuk jangka sederhana dan panjang, kerajaan akan melihat kaedah meningkatkan daya saing ekonomi dan mempelbagaikan pasaran eksport," katanya.

GST, RPGT to be discussed at FPC meeting

August 29 2013

The Government’s Fiscal Policy Committee meeting to be chaired by the Prime Minister next week will discuss several key areas including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT). 

Two other areas to be deliberated are subsidies rationalisation as well as measures to improve governance and work processes, said Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah today.

Read more: GST, RPGT to be discussed at FPC meeting http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130828172633/Article/index_html#ixzz2dPMH9iBc

GST dijangka diumum pada pembentangan Belanjawan 2014

29 Ogos 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) dijangka diumumkan pada pembentangan Belanjawan 2014 dan disifatkan sebagai bukan satu pilihan sebaliknya perlu dilaksanakan.

Bagaimanapun, ia hanya akan dilaksanakan ke atas pengguna dalam tempoh 14 bulan selepas diumumkan secara rasmi oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. 

Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah berkata, kerajaan memberi jaminan bahawa pelaksanaan GST tidak akan membebankan rakyat dan lebih banyak insentif akan diberikan.

Ia antara lain turut membabitkan tiada kadar cukai dikenakan ke atas beberapa produk barangan pengguna seperti beras dan susu bayi.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2013/08/29

M'sian Budget in Oct could include GST to reduce debt

PUBLISHED AUGUST 29, 2013

BY

PAULINE NG

IN KUALA LUMPUR

Mr Mohd Irwan: A GST 'is in the pipeline'. - PHOTO: THE STAR

MALAYSIA could introduce a long-mooted goods and services tax (GST) by year- end to address a persistent fiscal deficit and investors' concerns that structural reforms have stalled.

The possibility was highlighted yesterday by The Malaysian Reserve daily after the Finance Ministry's secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said he was "not ruling it out".

"It is in the pipeline. But let us wait for the Budget. It is a whole package for everybody," the senior officer at the treasury said in an interview with the newspaper.

He said a fiscal policy committee headed by Prime Minister Najib Razak is considering a number of issues including subsidy rationalisation, enhancement of revenue, prudent government spending, and public procurement via open tender. He reiterated the aim of reducing the fiscal deficit to 3 per cent by 2015 and to achieve a balanced budget five years later.

The public debt - currently at slightly over 53 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) - would also be capped at below 55 per cent.

In the first quarter, the fiscal deficit swelled to nearly RM15 billion (S$5.8 billion) from under RM6 billion in the same period last year, international ratings agency Moody's said recently.

But unlike its counterpart Fitch, which downgraded the country's outlook to "negative" from "stable", Moody's has stayed its hand so far.

Budget 2014 will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 25 and ought to provide some indication as to what measures the government is prepared to take.

Also, Mr Najib (who is finance minister as well) has had dialogue sessions with various sectors and organisations to get their feedback ahead of the Budget.

Following a presentation, a participant said Mr Najib had acknowledged subsidy rationalisation was necessary but that "it had to be weighed against the political costs".

Some economists expect some subsidies to be cut next year, such as for fuel, but agree that they are likely to be very minimal.

Even if introduced, the GST - needed to broaden the current tax base, which is overly reliant on petroleum earnings - could be instituted at a lower rate than calculated to be effective.

Earlier, a rate of 4 per cent was mooted but some tax advisers suggest the rate should be around 6-7 per cent since goods currently attract a sales tax of 5-10 per cent and services 6 per cent. The GST would replace these taxes and it would not be levied on essential items.

Since the Asian financial crisis of 1997, Malaysia has run consecutive budget deficits which, a few dips notwithstanding, have remained stubbornly large.

To sweeten the ground ahead of a general election, hefty giveaways have become the norm. The deficit stood at 4.5 per cent of GDP last year and was to be pared down to 4 per cent this year.  But Moody's pointed out that fiscal transfers ahead of the May elections contributed to the government's expenditure growth, while revenues were constrained by the relatively weak performance of commodities.