Yesterday the Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri
Najib announced that as part of BN’s Manifesto, the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M)
will be continued and progressively increased to RM1200.
I could sit here and tell you that BR1M is
only given to the poor and needy who met certain income criteria. That unlike
subsidies, the rich, foreigners and tourists do not benefit from it. That due
to its amount it will likely be immediately spend thereby increasing domestic consumption.
This in turn helps our economy (increases GDP) and protects it from the
uncertainties of the world economy. This has been proven by China and even
ourselves last year, tight banking regulations and big domestic spend are key
to protecting the economy.
I could further tell you that the only
reason government can afford to be doing BR1M is due to the fact the Government
has gotten its act together and has increased revenue collection. In 2012,
Government has recorded its highest revenue in history, RM207 billion and its deficit
has been gradually reduced despite all the major infrastructure projects like
MRT (the government has embrace in 2009 to reduce the deficit which was 6.6% at
the time. The target was to have 0% deficit by 2020. At 2012, the deficit stands
at 4.5%.). The Economic Transformation Programme is working.
But the thing I am trying to drive at here
is that I do not like the perception BR1M carries. Most middle income people
seem to think it is a bribe given to the low income group. Which I have to
admit, given how some BN politicians go on talking about the BR1M, is a
semi-legitimate point. Bulk of BN supporters are rural folk who probably do not feel the immediate effects of the Economic Transformation Programme. Talking to them about BR1M helps i suppose. It is easier. While I understand the reasoning behind BR1M but wish that the
BN Government would not harp on it so much.
It deters people from seeing all the other
wonderful things the Government have done to address poverty. Look through the Government
Transformation Programme, the Low Income Household NKRA, it is fantastic! The 1AZAM
programme has helped linked up the poor and low income segments of society to
government programmes which help them become self sufficient. This provides
them the opportunities to escape the chains of poverty.
People forget; Pakatan Rakyat politicians
forget (or rather do not want to admit); Hell, Barisan Nasional politicians
forget that BR1M is merely one of many initiatives done by the government. You cannot
just look at it in isolation. BN politicians forget this at the expense of
their middle income voters’ votes.
My advice to everyone is to take the time
to read the GTP and ETP Annual Reports. It clearly spells out the government
initiatives under the programmes and with its targets and milestones. Heck a
majority of the things mentioned in the BN Manifesto are already a part of the
ETP & GTP as the programmes have always been Najib’s baby. Read it for
yourselves and judge:
http://etp.pemandu.gov.my/annualreport/
Unlike Pakatan Rakyat, I believe that a manifesto is a promise. ( If you don't know want I'm talking about, I am referring to the statement by some Pakatan leaders who said their manifesto is not a promise ). It is something that the political parties must deliver once stated.
PRU-13. The power is in our hands. Vote wisely and based on facts and figures. Not just Manifestos pulling things from the air, be it a Pakatan Manifesto or a Barisan Akujanji.
