2018 Budget the best for all Malaysians
KENINGAU: Leaders in Keningau and Tenom described the 2018 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak in Parliament yesterday as a thorough budget.
They welcomed the budget which was very exciting as it involved the entire people - both in the urban and the rural areas.
Tenom Umno Youth Chief Jamawi Jaafar described the 2018 Budget as the best for all Malaysians including infants, retirees, rubber tappers, farmers and civil servants.
Jamawi, who is also Malaysia Umno Youth information chief, said the budget would benefit all Malaysians as a whole and thanked the Prime Minister who was concerned about the welfare of the people.
Bingkor’s Community Development Leader, Kennedy Datuk John congratulated the Prime Minister for tabling an inclusive budget.
“The government continues to pay attention and give priority to Sabah and Sarawak through consistent allocation with emphasis on farmers and SME entrepreneurs,” he said.
Kennedy said this showed the future of the country continues to be assured towards the 2050 National Transformation (TN50).
“We hope that through this budget, development especially in rural areas of Sabah will continue to be sustainable and able to provide people for their welfare and prosperity,” he said and described it as comprehensive, sustainable and holistic budget.
Sook Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) Youth chief Ramian Ayub said 2018 Budget had the pulse of the people at heart, especially in the rural areas, with RM6.5 billion for farmers, smallholders, fishermen and rubber tappers.
“With the government’s commitment, through this budget, it is hoped that rural communities will continue to work together with the government and thus uphold the agricultural sector which is the main source of rural livelihoods,” he said.
Ramian said this budget is also for the future especially the young people who continued to be given priority over TN50 with various schemes.
Hence, he said, hopefully the people would continue to have faith in the governemnt and support it.
Ramian also hoped that the budget would continue to reach its target.
Tenom District Chief, OKK David Jani described this budget as the hope of people from all walks of life.
Kapitan Peter Ma Kin Yee said the 2018 Budget which proposed RM280.25 billion up from RM260.8 billion in 2017 would expect a rise in per capita income to RM42,777 in 2018 from RM40,713 now, reflected the country’s stable financial situation.
He said Malaysia had created 2.26 million jobs, representing 69% of the 3.3 million target by 2020 and this showed the commitment of the government to look after the welfare and prosperity of Malaysians.
“RM61.6 billion allocation for education sector shows Malaysia’s education expenses is twice as high than that of other countries in Asean on average.
“The government aid of RM100 for students from lowincome families continues in this budget with RM328 million allocation which will benefit 3.2 million students throughout the country,” he said.
The RM550 million allocation for the maintenance and upgrading of schools also showed the commitment of the government for the convenience of students and teachers.
Peter said described the budget as people-friendly.
He also praised that the government for putting more efforts on the education without neglecting the poor.