Policies pursued by govt for the people’s welfare – Najib

PEKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday said every policy pursued by the government was aimed at helping the people, even though sometimes the actions taken were not popular.

Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said for example, when the goods and services tax (GST) was introduced in April last year, many parties questioned its implementation and said that it was not necessary.

“When GST was introduced, the government was ridiculed ... criticised, but if we do not have GST how can we create programmes to help the people, especially the B40 group (low income households), from where are we going to get the income if oil prices drop.

“The answer is through the GST revenue collection system, and when the system is in place, we can return the income to the people, especially to this group,” he said.

He was speaking at the handing over of keys ceremony for homes and trader kiosks under the Urban Poverty Eradication Programme (PPKB) in the Pekan parliamentary constituency, at Kampung Pulau Jawa, here.

Najib said through the proceeds, the government could also carry out many welfare programmes for the people, including providing the Affordable Housing Scheme under Suruhanjaya Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) which provides subsidies of up to RM31,000 for those who build homes on their own land.

“Not only that, we also have the Housing Project for the Hardcore Poor (PPRT) where we sell (houses) with subsidies of up to RM80,000,” he said. — Bernama