We can deliver

By Eileen Ng, R. Sittamparam and V. Shuman, NST

RAWANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday dismissed the opposition’s description of the 2012 Budget as unrealistic, stressing that he would not have tabled it if the government was not confident of fulfilling its promises.

“Of course we have the money and capabilities. If not, I won’t be brave enough to table it. I would be committing political suicide if I tabled a budget that the government couldn’t implement,” he said after meeting some 2,000 residents of Kundang at SJK(C) Kundang yesterday.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had criticised the budget, calling it unrealistic because it would increase the countr y’s deficit. He had also accused the government of copying the opposition’s alternative budget.

Najib said: “T h at ’s his answer, it’sa political answer. I want to know what he will say when we have fulfilled our promises.” Najib stressed that the government’s budget was drawn up based on facts, with the help of various exper ts.

“The budget proposals were drawn up by experts in the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara, Economic Planning Unit and other agencies — not by fools. They are brilliant people.

“We do not deceive the people. It is a commitment of the Barisan Nasional government. Our budget is transparent.” He said what was important was the implementation, adding that all doubts would be laid to rest when it took off.

He also said the budget was manageable as the government had pledged to reduce its deficit to 4.7 per cent.

“This year, we had a 5.4 per cent deficit and we are monitoring our total debt, so we should be quite comfor table.” On criticisms by some quarters that the government’s projected growth of five to six per cent was too optimistic, Najib said it was made according to the present economic scenario and he was confident it could be achieved due to strong domestic demand.

“If there is a sharp downturn, of course it will be a different story.” He said the government had restructured its total trade, making Asia and East Asia account for nearly 46 per cent of it. In contrast, Europe accounts for about nine per cent and the United States, about 10 per cent.

“Given the economic scenario, we are confident of success, especially if the Economic Transformation Programme and other government projects are implemented according to schedule.” Replying to a question, Najib said he was made to understand that opposition members of parliament were keen for a review of the allowances of MPs, adding that he was surprised Anwar had responded otherwise.

“I understand his (Anwar’s) MPs are asking for it. They told (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed) Nazri (Abdul Aziz), so it is a surprise to me that Anwar has different views.” To another question, Najib said cigarette prices might be increased in the future.

“We didn’t increase the prices (in the 2012 Budget) because it will encourage the smoking of illicit cigarettes.” On preparations by BN Selangor to face the general election, Najib, who is also BN chairman, said everything was on track. But he said more effort was needed to increase support for BN.

Addressing the people earlier, Najib announced that a 3.2km shortcut linking Kampung Baru Kundang and Bandar Tasik Puteri Rawang would be built by the Public Works Department at a cost of RM4.2 million.

He said the road would benefit about 10,000 people who would be able to cut travel time from 30 minutes, over a 20km route, to just five minutes In Ijok earlier, Najib said the opposition ’s criticisms of the budget showed that it had run out of ideas to attack the government.

He said this at a meet-the-people event at Tuan Mee Estate. Najib spent about an hour with more than 3,000 people. He also presented Deepavali and Hari Raya gifts to about 600 people.

Najib said the aim of the 2012 Budget was to ensure the well-being of the people and prosperity of the nation.

He said the government had done an in-depth study of what the people needed.

“I have outlined in the 1Malaysia concept several pillars, one of which is to be inclusive, meaning that everyone is taken care of by the government.

The budget has fulfilled this principle as it will benefit all groups of people.” He said the 2012 Budget had also focused on the Indian community whereby the government had allocated RM50 million for basic facilities in plantations.

Najib said in the case of Tuan Mee Estate, he had spoken to Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad chief executive officer Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian and the latter had agreed to provide clean water to the estate.

He also said prior to the tabling of the budget, he had asked all plantation owners to raise the wages of estate workers.

Najib said he was told that many workers of Tuan Mee Estate had been given a pay rise of RM200 each.

“I hope all estate workers will get a pay rise. We will take care of the welfare of all workers.” He also said grievances about bus services and floods raised by BN coordinator for the Ijok state constituency, K. Partiban, would be attended to immediately.

Present were Selangor Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar, MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel, People’s Progressive Party president Datuk M.Kayveas and Selangor BN leaders.

At another meet-the-people session in Gombak later, Najib said the government did not copy the opposition’s budget.

“If we had, the country’s economy would disintegrate.” Najib also announced to the 3,000 people at the gathering that the government was allocating RM1.2 million to paint the Samudera Flats there.