Budget reflects institutional reform for M’sia — See
KUCHING: Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How sees the National Budget 2019 as an institutional reform towards ensuring that the wellbeing of the people would be well taken care of, and also encouraging ‘an entrepreneurial Malaysia’.
He believes that in these trying times, all Malaysians are looking forward to seeing the commitment of the new federal government, led by Pakatan Harapan ( PH), in rebuilding the nation.
“I am particularly pleased by the steps taken to initiate institutional reform to ensure the fiscal health of the country. For far too long Malaysia has been plagued by corruption, leakages and mismanagement of public funds, causing the nation to be debt-ridden; thus hindering the country’s capacity in taking care of the essential and basic needs of the people,” said See, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) Sarawak vice- chairman, when contacted.
The plan to introduce the ‘ Fiscal Responsibility Act’ to control government spending, the implementation of ‘ ZeroBased Budgeting’ where yearly budgets are planned from scratch and every item justified to ensure efficiency and prudent public spending, and the establishment of a Debt Management Office to check and manage government debts and liabilities, are amongst the affirmative and positive efforts to ensure good governance and prudent financial management, he said.
He poi nted out t hat t he institutionalisation of such positive measures and policies would, no doubt, bolster the conf idence of investors and financiers, both local and foreign, for the recovery and better health of the nation’s economy.
“The people are aware that Budget 2019 cannot be a populist budget. It is a difficult time for the nation when the people are called upon to bear and take responsibilities in playing their crucial parts.
“However, crucial subsidies like ( that for) RON95 petrol are maintained, and targeted basic needs and services for the ‘rakyat’ ( people) are given greater emphasis.
“With the introduction of SST ( Sales and Services Tax), more than 5,000 items are exempted compared with 545 goods being zero- rated under the previous regime of GST ( Goods and Services Tax). This is a budget that addresses the country’s needs to propel forward,” said See.