Several quarters expressed their disapproval and grouses over the Budget 2009 unveiled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Anthony Thanasayan, disabled activist:
It is a total insult for the government to only come up with RM150 monthly allowance for someone bedridden. These people probably would need more medication. It shows that the government has no clue what the caretakers or families go through.
In the United States, there are several states where the government sponsors personal attendants for disabled people who are bedridden. But here, its going to be just RM150 a month. It just shows that the government does not consult the disabled when drawing up policies.
As for offering low-cost houses to the disabled, it is good that the government is looking into this. However, I’m worried if the government can devise a system that can work. They cannot expect the disabled, many who are house-bound, to go and see them and ask for a house. The onus is on the government departments to search for people who qualify for this service.
Dr Jacob George, consumer activist:
As expected, the government has shown cognisance of a comprehensive transport system that is lacking as based by consumer complaints. But financial allocations are just one aspect and the wider public is going to be wondering how it is going to be delivered. It was not clearly mentioned.
Consumers today want the nitty-gritty - who is going to do it, monitoring the implementation and audit the project - rather than just announcements.
The bonus for civil servants is a double-edged sword as past trends have shown that private companies will use the opportunity to raise prices of goods. While two million civil servants get a raise, everyone else will end up as victims. Price control mechanisms must be in place so people won’t take advantage of the situation.
S Samy Vellu, MIC president:
It is truly a budget for the poor. Never has there been so much goodies for the less fortunate. The prime minister has brought back the feel good factor and I hope this is the beginning of yet another exciting time for all of us.
The tax incentives and rebates as well as the abolishment on certain sectors will benefit all races. I applaud the government’s political will to implement all these measures. I’m also glad the government kept its promise to redevelop Tamil schools.
Patrick Sindhu, Consumer Association Sabah and Labuan president:
While Sabah has been given more allocations for infrastructural development - we have to ensure there is a monitoring mechanism to avoid leakages which have plagued most projects in the past. If you look at (the last) Auditor-General’s report, there were a lot of questions raised in regards to projects involving federal allocations.
The plan to give free flights to civil servants flying back to Sabah and Sarawak is not new. It has been done before and unscrupulous people have abused it by selling it to others for a quick profit.
Raising the eligibility criteria for families to qualify for welfare assistance is welcome. It’ll complement what the state is already doing. However relevant departments have to guarantee that the target groups - many of which are in the far flung rural areas - get to know that they are eligible.
Dr Koh Tsu Khoon, Gerakan president:
The prime minister devoted a long section to public transportation, reflecting the government’s commitment. I welcome the setting up of the Public Transportation Commission although somewhat belated. In fact, this was what Gerakan has been advocating for the past 10 years.
However, what is needed is a state or city-level local public transportation authority to integrate all the functions of the various departments and agencies. Only then can we effectively implement a comprehensive and integrated public transportation system in each city.
As a Penangite, while welcoming the increase of 200 buses for RapidPenang, I still advocate and call for the implementation of a properly planned monorail system as the backbone of the public transportation network, especially for George Town and its densely populated vicinity.
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