BR1M: Boon or Bane

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://www.pemandu.gov.my/gtp/annualreport2012/

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.