Cost of living a ‘huge concern’ among people
KOTA KINABALU: Umno Tawau chairman and Apas assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the Pakatan Harapan government’s decision to stop 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) proved that it is unable to fulfill the promises of its leaders made during the 14th general election to continue with the aid program which had been renamed as Cost of Living Aid or BSH.
He said it was clear that the PH leaders had made various kinds of promises just to get votes from the people.
“This is a failure by the government to help the poor, including the B40 (group) who needs the government’s help to continue with their daily lives.”
He said the PH government had been administering the country for more than 100 days but there was no clear agenda from the government to help ease the burden of the people, and many people were increasingly unsettled by the uncertain economic climate of the country, including the rising cost of living.
PBS Tanjong Batu Division Youth chief Jhasarry Kang strongly believed that the present government must focus its attention on the welfare of the rakyat.
He feels that the present cost of living remains the main challenge and a huge concern among the people at large.
“Therefore, if the government intends or attempts to gradually reduce and do away with BRIM, I think it may seem an effective way of cutting costs to the already high cost of expenditure for the government in long run. Of course, BRIM is always a high cost to the government,” he said.
However, he thinks such a drastic measure ought to be considered carefully by taking into account various factors as welfare of the people ought to be given top priority.
The government must tackle the cost of living at the moment. All necessities must be kept at the lowest possible (price), he said, adding that BR1M would provide some relief to those who truly deserve it.
Former Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Sabah chairman Hamzah Abdullah said the government decision to gradually reduce and finally stopping BR1M is crushing the hope of PH voters.
“The people were assured in PH manifesto pre-GE14 that BR1M, which later was renamed BSH would continue be channeled to the people. BSH also is a form of nation’s wealth sharing in which the majority of Malaysians who do not have access to gain monetary profit enjoyed by powerful politicians get a small share.
“If BRIM is considered as bribery, then the same goes to the three-month bonus given to civil servants in Selangor and Penang. This should also be seen as bribery, because it is a form of inducing and persuading the civil servants to render their votes to the prevailing government,” Hamzah said.
He added that BR1M payout cost not more than RM7 billion which is only a fraction of 10 percent from proceeds derived by Petronas which amounted to RM70 billion annually.
Meanwhile, MCA Central Committee member cum MCA Batu Sapi chairman Datuk Chew Kok Woh said reducing and stopping BSH would not be a good move.
“The new government can rename it (BR1M), not a problem, as long as the mechanism of those eligible to it should be retained. Also, we have yet to see the rationale of SST’s (Sales Service Tax) effect; will the prices of essential foods increase or reduce?” he questioned.