The opposition leader says the budget has failed to achieve its targets.
PETALING
JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim wants Prime Minister Najib Tun
Razak to re-table Budget 2012 in view of the slower economic growth of
4.7% in the first quarter of this year.
He said this was important because the Najib administration failed to achieve its target since 2011.
“It is the second time that Najib’s administration failed to achieve
important economic targets which were the basis for Budget 2012.
“The first economic target missed was the economic growth for 2011,
which at 5.1% was lower than the projected growth used by BN in the
budget,” he said in a press statement.
The economic growth forecast for 2011 was 5.0% – 5.5% and for 2012, 5% – 6%.
To re-address the problem, Anwar wanted Budget 2012 to be re-tabled during Parliament session next month.
“I reiterate my call made in Dewan Rakyat previously that the Budget
be re-tabled for a debate in the June session of the Parliament because
the growth assumptions were wrong,” he said.
Yesterday, Najib announced that Budget 2013 would be tabled on Sept 28.
The prime minister, who also oversees the finance portfolio, said the
new budget was themed “Driving Transformation Towards A Developed
Nation.”
Bumi equity ‘hijacked’
Meanwhile, Anwar also criticised BN’s mishandling of the economy in
achieving the 30% equity for the bumiputera and highlighted Pakatan
Rakyat’s proposal to bolster the economic power of Malaysians.
“One of the most radical economic realignments proposed is to shift
the policy focus from the much abused 30% equity target for the
bumiputera currently pursued by BN towards an income-based economic
target of RM4,000 minimum household income for each family within five
years of Pakatan’s administration.
“The 30% equity target has been hijacked by cronies to enrich themselves at the expense of the general public,” he said.
“The disparity between the rich and poor widens significantly as a
result of the abuses done in the name of achieving the 30% equity
target.
“A fairer management of the country’s wealth should rightly focus on
ensuring every family can prosper economically under the Malaysian sun.
“Every family’s income must rise in tandem with the rise in cost of living.
“Every family must earn above the poverty level so as to be able to invest in the future of their children,” he added.
‘Debate with me’
‘Debate with me’
Anwar said the economic target set by Pakatan that the combined
income of each Malaysian family should be at least RM4,000 a month was
not only morally right but achievable through a combination of
pro-people economic policies proposed.
He also reiterated his call for a debate with Najib on economic
issues if the latter felt that the current economic policies were on the
right track.
“If he is confident that Pakatan will not be able to deliver our
economic promises, he must be bold enough to defend his conviction in a
public debate.
“His refusal to debate with me on economic policies can only confirm
the assertion that he is leading a weak government – economically,
morally and intellectually,” he added.
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