Govt to focus on improving rakyat’s wellbeing

Many initiatives planned to reduce crime and boost public perception

PETALING JAYA: The government will intensify inclusive development to improve the rakyat’s wellbeing in line with the country’s economic growth.

Among the efforts in the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan that will be stepped up included raising the income and purchasing power of the B40 households, enhancing the Bumiputra Economic Community (BEC) as well as empowering the minorities and specific target groups.

The others are improving the rakyat’s quality of life through measures to help increase their buying power and access to quality and affordable housing and healthcare.

Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie welcomed the move to create a framework for an integrated and comprehensive social protection system for the B40 households.

He said guidelines and mecha- nism to manage subsidies and welfare aid policies should be available to ensure they are properly implemented.

“There must be a good tracking system to enable the government to closely monitor the effectiveness of the policies,” he said.

Political analyst Koh Kok Wee said the government should not ignore the predicaments faced by the middle income group that were often neglected.

“The low and medium income earners in Malaysia are still facing the problem of the rising cost of living and stagnant wages.

“The previous tax-free window was rather short and prices of goods have not dropped significantly after the implementation of SST,” he said.

PETALING JAYA:

The government aims to improve public safety and security, including setting police response time at eight minutes and improving public perception.

In the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan, the government also wants greater focus on crime reduction.

The capabilities of the police and the Armed Forces will be improved through more systematic training and advanced specialised courses.

There will be more public engagements and participation in crime prevention while more police personnel will be deployed for this purpose.

There will also be an increase in surveillance at the borders with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to curb intrusions.

The public will also be encouraged to protect themselves and install theft deterrent systems in homes to prevent crime.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the initiatives were timely.

“It is important for the relevant agencies to take serious and continuous efforts to improve public perception.

“Based on the Performance Management and Delivery Unit’s survey, most Malaysians still do not feel safe and only 10% believe that the crime index has dropped.

“Efforts to reduce the police’s response time to eight minutes and strengthen the cooperation among enforcement and security agencies should also be lauded,” he said.

Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft founder Dave Avran said Malaysians were fed up with PR spiels and lip service campaigns.

“We want to see real action being taken.

“Nothing stated in this latest national safety and security plan is new,” he said.

He said the installation of theft deterrent systems in homes and businesses won’t work unless the government entices the people with incentives, such as discounts and tax breaks for installing them.