Najib defends his 2012 Budget

(Bernama) - Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today dismissed the opposition labelling of Budget 2012 as unrealistic by saying they are just devoid of ammunition to attack the government.

He said the proposals in Budget 2012 which he tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday can be implemented by the government and are not empty promises.

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

“The budget is not aimed at pleasing the people; we do not deceive the people. Instead, it (the budget) is a commitment of the Barisan Nasional government,” he
said at a meet-the-people event at Ladang Tuan Mee in Ijok, here.

Najib spent about an hour with more than 3,000 people at the location and presented Deepavali and Aidiladha gifts to about 600 people.

Najib said the aim of Budget 2012 was to enable the government provide for the well-being of the people and prosperity of the nation.

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

“I have outlined in the 1Malaysia concept several pillars, one of which is that we must be inclusive, meaning that everyone regardless of ethnic group or location is taken care of by the government.

“In line with this, Budget 2012 has fulfilled the fundamental principle of, among other things, ensuring benefits for all groups of people,” he said.

The prime minister said Budget 2012 had also focused on the Indian community whereby the government has provided a special allocation of RM50 million for basic facilities for the Indian community living in plantations.

Najib said that especially for Tuan Mee Estate, he had spoken with Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad CEO Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian and the latter had agreed to take immediate measures to provide clean and quality water to the estate.

He also said that prior to the tabling of the budget, he had asked all estate owners, both government-linked companies (GLCs) and private, to raise the wages of estate workers.

The prime minister said he was informed that many of the workers of Tuan Mee Estate had received a rise of RM200 in their monthly wage.

“I hope that in the near future, all estate workers will get a pay rise … we will take care of the welfare of all workers,” he said.

He also said that several grievances associated with bus services and floods raised by the Barisan Nasional coordinator for the Ijok state constituency, K. Partiban, would be attended to immediately.

“It was announced in Budget 2012 that households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below will be given an assistance of RM500.

“This means that every family living in estates in the country will receive RM500 next year,” he said.

Also present with Najib at the event were Selangor Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar, MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas and Selangor BN leaders.