Najib unveils ‘feel good’ Budget

ARCHIVES 2011
By Aurora

(FMT) – KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is unveiling the Budget 2012 in the Dewan Rakyat, which is expected to be loaded with goodies since the general election is around the corner.

In his televised speech, the premier said the total revenue for 2012 is forecast to increase 1.9% to RM186.9 billion and the deficit to decrease to 4.7% of GDP from 5.4%.

Last year, Najib said the FDI growth was the strongest in Asia and in the first six months of this year, it had already reached RM21.2 billion.

Below are some of the salient points from the Budget, themed: “National Transformation Policy: Welfare for the Rakyat, Well-Being of the Nation.”

  • Senior citizens aged 60 years and above will be exempted from outpatient registration fees at government hospitals and health clinics.
  • RM15 million will be allocated to build 150 futsal courts to achieve the “One Court for One Mukim” target.
  • RM200 million will be allocated to train youths who have left school through the SAY 1Malaysia programme.
  • The government will establish MyCreative Venture Capital with an initial fund of RM200 million.
  • To prevent cervical cancer, the government will provide free Human Papilloma Virus immunisation nationwide.
  • A training allocation of RM10 million will be provided for women to develop leadership and managerial skills.
  • To assist the homeless, the government established a social assistance centre known as Anjung Singgah.
  • The National Legal Aid Foundation will ensure that every individual who is charged in court will be given free legal aid.
  • To assist taxi owners facing increased operating costs, measures will be introduced including tax exemptions on taxis.
  • TERAJU will coordinate and drive the transformation and strengthen Bumiputera’s participation in business.
  • Hospital Kuala Lumpur – the oldest in Malaysia – will be upgraded to be the country’s premier hospital.
  • Hospitals will be upgraded and constructed as well as 81 rural health clinics upgraded and 50 new 1Malaysia clinics will be launched.
  • Healthcare will be allocated RM15 billion operating expenditure and RM1.8 billion development expenditure.
  • The government will establish the Special Housing Fund for fishermen to build and refurbish houses.
  • The Rumah Mesra Rakyat (SPNB) programme will be continued. SPNB will be asked to build 10,000 units next year.
  • The government will continue to implement the Program Perumahan Rakyat by building 75,000 units of affordable houses.
  • The government will identify areas in the vicinity of MRT, LRT and other public transport to be developed by PR1MA.
  • The My First Home Scheme will be expanded to increase the limit of house prices from a maximum of RM220,000 to RM400,000.
  • 500,000 will benefit from KAR1SMA, which provides assistance to poor senior citizens and children and disabled people.
  • In the spirit of “People First,” all subsidies, incentives and assistance totalling RM33.2 billion will be continued.
  • The government is mindful of the plight of the rakyat due to rising food prices and will take measures to address this.
  • RM3,000 will be given to ex-members of the special constable and auxiliary police as well as widows and widowers.
  • A special programme will be introduced for 175,000 army personnel who are not eligible for pensions.
  • Civil servants will be offered tuition fee assistance for part-time studies, including 5,000 masters and 500 doctoral scholarships.
  • Starting next year, the annual increment for civil servants will be increased between RM80 and RM320 according to grade.
  • Budget 2012 will transform the civil service to be dynamic and responsive, introducing changes to remuneration and recruitment.
  • 600,000 government pensioners will benefit from an additional annual pension increment of 2%.
  • The government will extend the compulsory retirement age from 58 to 60 to optimise civil servants’ contribution.
  • Private schools registered with the Education Ministry will be given incentives including an Investment Tax Allowance.
  • The government will expedite tax exemption approvals for educational institutions and all places of worship.
  • To encourage private sector human capital development incentives including a double deduction on scholarships will be offered.
  • A Rural Transformation Programme will be introduced so that rural areas can attract private investment and create employment.
  • The government will expand the programme to supply clean water to the rural community in Sabah by RM50 million.
  • RM400 million will be provided to upgrade the water supply infrastructure in selected FELDA areas.
  • To provide greater access to bank services for the rural population, Bank Simpanan Nasional will appoint agents in rural areas.
  • Felda GVH will be listed on Bursa Malaysia by mid-2012 to raise funds for the company to become a global conglomerate.


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