KUALA LUMPUR: The affordable housing schemes are the most favored items in Budget 2013, which some say will either make-or-break the Barisan Nasional government.
Tabled yesterday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Finance Minister, the much-awaited Budget proposed many more goodies compared to the previous one.
One remarkable aspect of the Budget is it appears more all-rounded in that the benefits encompasses a wider spectrum of society including the young adults who will be among those receiving the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) hand out.
In his speech, Najib announced the continuation of the BR1M of RM500 to households earning not more than RM3,000 a month while extending the aid under the BR1M 2.0 to cover a payment of RM250 for single unmarried individuals aged 21 and above, earning less than RM2,000 a month.
The affordable housing programs include the building of 123,000 affordable homes at a cost RM1.9 billion in key locations such as Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Johor Baru, Seremban and Kuantan, where the houses will cost between RM100,000 and RM400,000 each.
“God willing, the budget will turn out to be one that will help the nation prosper while enhancing the rakyat’s wellbeing. It’s an improvement from the previous one while keeping aspects (from Budget 2012) that would increase the rakyat’s assurance, particularly on home-ownership,” said Tangga MP Idris Harun when met outside the Parliament lobby.
“The allocation for the Rumah Mesra Rakyat programme has been increased 10,000 to 22,000 while Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) has been tasked to build affordable homes in Shah Alam and Rawang,” said the director general of the National Housing Department (JPN).
Idris (left) also praised Najib for keeping to his ‘Janji Ditepati’ (Promises Fulfilled) Merdeka theme, which is included as the theme for this year’s Budget, dubbed ‘Prospering the Nation, Enhancing The Well-Being of the Rakyat: A Promise Fulfilled’.
“I can see that the PM really wants to realize what he has promised for the rakyat. These are ‘promises fulfilled’. This is what the people have been waiting for, and with another round of BR1M, this time the youths will also get the benefits, which was totally unexpected.
“To me, the Budget tabled today is fiscally responsible. It is not something that promises the stars and the moon. I believe it will give a perception that this government is a government which really can benefit our wellbeing.
“I see the benefits cover all including the rich as well as the poor and business owners. But the most important thing is the PM is encouraging us to lead healthy lifestyles by reducing the subsidy on sugar while increasing some taxes that I reckon would encourage people to live healthily,” he added.
Meanwhile, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali (left) believes that the government’s Budget 2013 has delivered a knockout blow to Pakatan’s version.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s list of goodies has delivered a hammer blow to that announced by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and left it for dead.
“This Budget is a knockout to Pakatan Rakyat’s alternative Budget. This is because this Budget has sunk Pakatan’s Budget like the Titanic,” said the Pasir Mas MP.
“The theme of this Budget is dead on. Why I say this is because for one, there’s no new taxes and some are even not taxed on. Also, the BR1M is maintained. Young single adults will get RM250, soldiers will get RM200, students still get RM100 and book vouchers for IPTA students. And there are also incentives for various sectors as well as benefits for the Bumiputra,” said Ibrahim.
Ibrahim also dismissed talks that this Budget is ‘election-based’ whereby a lot of benefits can be expected due to the looming polls.
“Some parties have said that this is an ‘election Budget’. They can call it what they want.
“To me, I don’t care about all that. The most important thing is for the rakyat to benefit. The bottom line is there are parties that will be contesting in the election that are not doing things for the benefit of the rakyat,” he said, congratulating Najib for tabling “a very good Budget”.
Meanwhile, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin said he is “happy” and “amazed” with the Budget.
“I see that the Budget has given attention to the youths in terms of house-ownership, education, training, rebate on smartphone cost, the BR1M and more. So there’s a lot for the younger generation and there’s the PTPTN part where you repay less if you pay early.
“Previously, we had asked for the interest rate to be written off so we see it as a benefit that this, even though not the same (as we requested for), is still a good proposition which reduces the loan amount if repayments are made early. It also upholds the principle that loans have to be repaid.
“Young single adults also get the BR1M this time around. I am happy and amazed that the Budget is very youth-friendly,” said Khairy who is also Barisan Nasional Youth chairman.
- mD
