Comments on: Revised 2009 Budget tomorrow – Najib’s first test as Finance Minister

By: elaineganmaclaine

elaineganmaclaine — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:50:50 +0000

I don’t seem to have much confidence in our upcoming new PM, don’t think he’s going to make a difference to what’s been already done!
I’m now waiting to see what other failures/ disappointments he’s going to make, or MAYBE shock me with a selfless solution/ plan for once!

By: lchk

lchk — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:26:19 +0000

imranj78 posted:

“The Opposition criticizes the government’s budget weeks in advance of the debate today but we have not heard anything about the detailed basis of their criticism. As such, as far as I am aware, they are shooting blanks. Hopefully they will finally have their guns loaded with good facts today and we will finally understand what the criticism is all about.”

Anwar and his fellow MPs were all ready to review and debate about the 2009 Budget and Najib and gang didn’t even have the guts to show up and fulfill their duties as elected representatives to bother to show up in parliament.

Tells a lot about their characters.

By: imranj78

imranj78 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:29:51 +0000

I for one agree that Najib as the Finance minister should have been present during the budget debate. His absence in parliament during the debate is improper and prevents constructive discussions.

By: Jamesy

Jamesy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:17:31 +0000

Uncle Lim,

Will our electricity tariff meters be lowered as well?

By: Jong

Jong — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:59:03 +0000

No excuse for Finance Minister Najib Tun Razak to give Parliament a miss, that’s dereliction of duty! What can be more important than Parliament’s first day of sitting after Hari Raya break? That’s highly irresponsible for an elected MP knowing very well at least through the media/press that his presence is expected to clarify matters of urgency relating to nation’s economy and issues relating to this ‘new’ Finance Minister.

So he and his boss the incompetent Prime Minister soon to be ousted by his own kind, thinks that the Pakatan Rakyat MPs representing over 40% of Malaysians are not to bge taken seriously and downright fools?

How can we expect this man said to be a PM-in-waiting when he is not even fit to be a responsible Member of Parliament?

We must say “NO” to this puppet/agent of Mahathirism and make sure the former dictator is not allowed power to dictate terms and form ‘Cabinet of his choice from the comfort of his home!

This will be another joke for the world to see, how useless Malaysians can be if we allow a repetition of his leadership! This country will further go down the chute of doom if Najib is allowed to take over leadership of UMNO and BN government.

Will the ghost of Altantuya and her departed ancestors be watching over us, to see that the truth is exposed and the murderers of Altantuya are sent to hell?

Let’s not just pray, let’s do something!

By: citizenwatch

citizenwatch — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:41:53 +0000

What can we expect from the new Finance Minister? He’s not present during the morning session in Parliament. Let’s hope he’ll be around in the afternoon to prove himself.

By: Godfather

Godfather — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:49:04 +0000

Was told that Najis didn’t even show up in Parliament today, knowing that the Opposition will be throwing hard questions at him over the budget and other major capital expenditures.

Incredibly irresponsible and chicken-sh!t if you ask me. PM material my foot.

By: k1980

k1980 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:20:30 +0000

Skyrocketting prices of everything except air and sunshine

Highest inflation in living memory

All those who voted BN on 8th March 2008, are you satisfied now?

By: oknyua

oknyua — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:13:13 +0000

“The electorate gave PR a stronger voice in Mar08 to not just provide check and balance to the government, but it is also expected that you play a more constructive role and propose solutions rather then just criticize for the sake of it.” imranj78

You are right, sir. Time of politicking is over – now its time for reconstruction and each and every proposal need to address specific issue.

We have done well in stopping BN making fools out of Malaysians, and now its time for PR to show they are the better alternative. That couldn’t be done by pointing to mistakes of BN, but failing to put forward solutions. BN being incompetent is known, but PR a better administrator, we have to show it. BN must go, but the vacuum left by BN, are we better suited to fill it?

Difficult to take, but that is the truth sir. Thank you.

By: Bigjoe

Bigjoe — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:22:56 +0000

The issue financially is that with reduced oil price, the govt revenue is reduced at a time of increase deficit and Najib need to spend to deal with his political problems.

What Najib really need is the GST but he can only do it if Dr. M backs him. If he was smart he gets that promise from Dr. M and goes for it early. Spend the inside political capital he has in UMNO up front because he is going to have little left when his personal problems become a liability later.. But if he is afraid he will get attacked by Anwar and opposition who will undoubtedly raise hell over it, then its an early indication he won’t be around long either..

My bet is he will go for GST in 2nd half of 2009 just as the economy swings up and oil prices goes up moderately again…

By: HJ Angus

HJ Angus — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:02:51 +0000

Two things bother me about the Malaysian economy -
1.Oil prices are way below the highs when the budget was planned – now with oil hovering around US$80, how does Malaysia get their 5-8% growth target given that PETRONAS contributes so much to our national income?
2.There must be stricter oversight on foreign investments that make use of national assets like Maybank which probably has lost about US$2bil in the BII high risk venture.

By: Toyol

Toyol — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:46:18 +0000

With his incompetence as Defence Minister where C4 can be easily removed and used as firecrackers to the Nuri helicopter fiasco, what makes anyone think he can do any better as Finance Minister now. Badawi has indeed made a master stroke in exchanging portfolios with him. Najib has no idea what he is getting himself into. Probably made to the deal to save his own skin and to buy time…at the expense of the rakyat.

By: Stephenlsa

Stephenlsa — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:06:15 +0000

Very disappointed from me to Pakatan Rakyat. A few months ago, Pakatan Rakyat keep on saying that they already got enough chair to form government but until now unsuccess, they said they want parliment meeting to form government but rejected by YB Abdullah. Today is the parliment meeting, if Pakatan Rakyat got enough chair, why not you all form government today and not YB Lim Kit Siang still say want to look what YB Najib perform his 2009 budjet today. What for to see YB Najib’s bujet 2009 if Pakatan Rakyat already can form government. Or Pakatan Rakyat just kidding on us, confusing us, the economic will worsen with this unstable government. Are Pakatan Rakyat help us or worsen the situation by saying so much rumours. If you all got enough chair please form government faster , if not please shut all of your mouths and not keep on lying on us making us disappointed. Credibility Pakatan Rakyat wii be seen today.

By: chin

chin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:55:34 +0000

No ! Prices increased will never be down ! Put this in you head, digest it, process it & live with it. When petroleum prices are down, don’t expect other derived commodities will, it will not. The damage has already done, its a matter how some industries will bend with it.
You & me will find ways :
1) To increase income. / Increase MPS
2) To decrease consumption / decrease MPC
Next to a very old & basic word to this, How to survive ?
Is changing to a new government the solution ? No one will tell, but at least it is a chance to twist around than waiting like a shooting duck.
With or without Najis, doesn’t make any different in the economy basis. The impact of external trade will hit us hard, with or without Najis, the bullet prove vest is rather thin for Malaysians.
DSAI may provide a better bullet prove vest, but is he selling the one he has claimed ?
Either one, we will die ! But we don’t mind to try the other one before we die.

By: Godfather

Godfather — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:41:15 +0000

Of course Najis is qualified. His brother runs a large financial institution. His wife is always on the pulse of the retail industry. What more does he need to steer the country ?

By: Dr.Ken

Dr.Ken — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:54:32 +0000

Infact , NAJIB is qualified to be our finance M. what qualification & experience does he have in the Financial field ? He going to steer the nation into more troubles.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:28:26 +0000

The world economies are crumbling and what is the new Finance Minister intends to do to steer Malaysia away from the choppy waters? He should revise the 2009 budget and layout the proper plans for the coming months.

By: Godfather

Godfather — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:13:23 +0000

First test of the new Finance Minister is to be acquainted with the basics of the job viz (a) how much is available to be distributed (b) who should be the beneficiaries (c) the pipeline of projects that are due to be approved (d) the “toll” for new approvals.

What should the new leadership in BN heed what PR has to say ? If you look closely, the $ sign is written all over the eyeballs of the ministers.

By: rider

rider — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:58:39 +0000

Am glad and in fact delighted that you know the prices of the ordinary people’s foodstuffs YB, if only all of those others sitting in parliament were to be like you, the rakyat will not be in the mess that they are in. Do something to ease the rakyats shoulders fast YB. The Finance Minister is busy worrying about himself and his cronies that we doubt he is going to say anything sensible tomorrow.

By: monsterball

monsterball — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:36:56 +0000

Gerakan have just finished their party election.
The new group plans to make Gerakan…..”The Third Force”
This means..the two opposite forces..Pakatan and UMNO…and Gerakan will be the ‘Third Force”..or simply put….”The Middle Man”. If they achieve this…Gerakan will be the most powerful pawn ..in a chess game.
Months of brain washing by Gerakan active members…to drill in the meaning of… ‘third force’….with their usual twisted logics..hoping Penang folks…..will vote them back…next election…so that the can become…the ‘third force”
These group of leaders…headed by a smart sly fox Dr.Hsu Da Ren…totally ignored the many sins ..Koh Tsu Koon..had committed..supporting UMNO’s corruptions…..and using that powerful force.. for more than 30 years….to fool Penang folks….by carrying UMNO balls. What is Penang now??
From being the ‘Pearl of the Orient”….to be a dirty …filthy city….making Penang folks and city…..poorer and poorer.
At least ….Koh Tsu Koon said…Gerakan will stay in BN. He knows…that is their only hope…to survive…keep carrying the balls of UMNO.
But the new group….real smart…going against Koh Tsu Koon…to bullshit Penang voters again….and appeal to them…to make them…the
“Charlie Angels” of Malaysia….to fight for justices and be the most powerful party in Malaysia……”The Third Force”
Fortunately…almost…all commentators…are real smart..and will not fall into this cheap new stunt of Gerakan..idea…..master minded..by Dr.Hsu Da Ren. That is why.he stood for election…first time….and won with high votes.
Justice done for Penang….by giving DAP a chance.
Now let Lim Eng Guan do his job…to clean up the dirt..and make it back…..the pearl…we all know and love.
Gerakan can go to hell!!