Rafizi concedes 2018 Budget will benefit the people

It will boost their income to meet high cost of living, says Pandan MP

PANDAN member of parliament Rafizi Ramli on Wednesday acknowledged that the 2018 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak benefits the people.

While hoping the budget would have a more positive impact on the country, he also urged the government to emphasise on long-term solutions to problems, such as rising prices of goods, employment opportunities and hiring of foreign labour.

“The provisions (in the 2018 Budget) need to be balanced with certain things. It is necessary to have long-term goals by taking steps to solve problems the people are facing,” he said when appearing as a guest on the Bicara Bajet 2018 programme aired on RTM#1.

The programme, hosted by Datuk Dahlan Maamor, also invited Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who is also Muar MP, to discuss next year’s budget, which was tabled last Friday.

Rafizi said the people would welcome any announcement by the government that would benefit them, regardless of which political party ruled the county.

“For me, it is easy. If anything is returned to the people, I do not have any complaints... because the more that is given back, the better it is,” said Rafizi, who is also PKR vice-president.

He said the 2018 Budget was not merely an “election budget” as alleged by some parties, and provided benefits to the people to increase their income to meet the high cost of living.

“There are also microcredit services by Tekun and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, and encouragement to entrepreneurs to do business to increase their income, as well as lowering taxes to increase their (disposable) income.”

On the Alternative 2018 Budget by Pakatan Harapan, which had called for political interference in Felda to be stopped, Rafizi said the model for Felda, at the beginning of its establishment, was the best, and had seen the land development agency being administered by experts.

He acknowledged that Felda chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad had played a good role in ensuring Felda management was on the right track for the good of the settlers. Bernama

For me, it is easy. If anything is returned to the people, I do not have any complaints... because the more that is given back, the better it is.

RAFIZI RAMLI Pandan member of parliament