Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday (Sept 2) pledged to present a new budget with measures to woo investments and reduce inflation, in a move to persuade Malaysians of his coalition's ability to govern.
He said it would be irresponsible to continue with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's budget tabled last Friday which he described as untenable.
"If we can form the government in a short time, we will review and table a new budget," he said at a press conference called to present his party's economic policies.
His move is aimed at showcasing his coalition as a government in waiting. He chose yesterday, the day he was sacked from government a decade ago to remind Malaysians that he had served eight years as finance minister, and has the ability to handle the top job.
"This is the day I was sacked. I am now looking forward to my new role" as an MP, he told reporters.
Anwar, fresh from winning a by-election to re-enter Parliament, has renewed his threat to take power at the centre with the help of ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) defectors.
When asked whether he would announce the defections yesterday, he said: "Not yet."
But he added that he was making "very good progress" after meeting MPs from Sabah, Sarawak, and peninsular Malaysia.
Most observers believe that he will miss his self-imposed Sept 16 deadline, but the BN seems to be increasingly nervous after his landslide win in Permatang Pauh gave a boost to his credibility.
Slamming Abdullah's budget, which projected a fiscal deficit of 4.8 per cent, Anwar said it lacked concerted vision.
"Unfortunately, it follows the trend of previous years which resulted in gross examples of mismanagement, inefficiency and missed opportunities to take Malaysia and its people forward," he said.
Abdullah had presented an expansionary budget last Friday that was criticised for its record spending without additional measures to boost revenue or competitiveness.
Anwar said his Parti Keadilan Rakyat would, instead, pursue policies to attract investments, raise educational standards, and productivity.
Among the measures he proposed were removal of tariff barriers and foreign equity restrictions, lowering taxes, giving out contracts through open tenders and cancelling mega-projects that were wasteful.
He also reiterated his commitment to replace pro-Malay policies with one that will assist the poor regardless of race, the majority of whom would be Malay.
Educational opportunities, he said, would be based on merit even if it meant fewer university places for the Malays in the short term.
"The Malays will be concerned, but we will allocate funds for additional training for the Malays so they can catch up," he said.
Carolyn Hong
The Straits Times
He said it would be irresponsible to continue with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's budget tabled last Friday which he described as untenable.
"If we can form the government in a short time, we will review and table a new budget," he said at a press conference called to present his party's economic policies.
His move is aimed at showcasing his coalition as a government in waiting. He chose yesterday, the day he was sacked from government a decade ago to remind Malaysians that he had served eight years as finance minister, and has the ability to handle the top job.
"This is the day I was sacked. I am now looking forward to my new role" as an MP, he told reporters.
Anwar, fresh from winning a by-election to re-enter Parliament, has renewed his threat to take power at the centre with the help of ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) defectors.
When asked whether he would announce the defections yesterday, he said: "Not yet."
But he added that he was making "very good progress" after meeting MPs from Sabah, Sarawak, and peninsular Malaysia.
Most observers believe that he will miss his self-imposed Sept 16 deadline, but the BN seems to be increasingly nervous after his landslide win in Permatang Pauh gave a boost to his credibility.
Slamming Abdullah's budget, which projected a fiscal deficit of 4.8 per cent, Anwar said it lacked concerted vision.
"Unfortunately, it follows the trend of previous years which resulted in gross examples of mismanagement, inefficiency and missed opportunities to take Malaysia and its people forward," he said.
Abdullah had presented an expansionary budget last Friday that was criticised for its record spending without additional measures to boost revenue or competitiveness.
Anwar said his Parti Keadilan Rakyat would, instead, pursue policies to attract investments, raise educational standards, and productivity.
Among the measures he proposed were removal of tariff barriers and foreign equity restrictions, lowering taxes, giving out contracts through open tenders and cancelling mega-projects that were wasteful.
He also reiterated his commitment to replace pro-Malay policies with one that will assist the poor regardless of race, the majority of whom would be Malay.
Educational opportunities, he said, would be based on merit even if it meant fewer university places for the Malays in the short term.
"The Malays will be concerned, but we will allocate funds for additional training for the Malays so they can catch up," he said.
Carolyn Hong
The Straits Times
Singapore
04/09/08
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