As the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is leaving for Peru and the United States tomorrow and will not be back until early next month, when the 2009 Budget would have been passed by Parliament, there is one important thing he should do in the next 24 hours before he goes abroad.
Najib should not leave behind a RM7 billion “black hole” in the 2009 Budget and should direct Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yakcop to take necessary action to incorporate the economic stimulus package into the 2009 Budget for parliamentary approval.
All over the world, governments are preparing their countries to face the world’s worst economic crisis in 80 years. China has announced a US$586 billion economic stimulus package while South Korea unveiled a US$11 billion stimulus package. In the United States, Congress is working with the Bush Administration to craft a US$700 billion bailout of troubled US banks.
Malaysia, however, is an oddity. Although the government has announced a measly RM7 billion economic stimulus package when winding up the debate on the 2009 Budget on November 4, this RM7 billion economic stimulus package is quite a mirage as it has not been formally presented to Parliament by way of an amendment to the 2009 Budget and is therefore not before Parliament for approval when every sen of government expenditure must be passed by the House.
This is why there is a complete air of unreality in the 2009 Budget debate, as there is a RM7 billion “black hole” so long as the economic stimulus package has not been incorporated into the 2009 Budget and placed on the agenda for parliamentary approval.
This RN7 billion “black hole” in the 2009 Budget is completely indefensible and unacceptable. The Prime Minister-designate Datuk Seri Najib Razak has got very lousy advisers who could land him in such a trouble as not complying with parliamentary procedures and practices in seeking a formal approval from Parliament for the RM7 billion package. Najib should leave clear instruction for this parliamentary faux pax to be rectified in his absence.
(Media Conference Statement in Parliament on Monday 17th November 2008 at 11am)
#1 by shortie kiasu on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 2:02 pm
Malaysia under the same government for the last 50 years was, and is, never in the league of nations such as China, South Korea. Najib can leave the country any time because like other colleagues in his government, they are persona non grata.
The government can rule the country by ‘remote control’ and by the famous flip flop policies with whims and fancy all the times.
#2 by All For The Road on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 2:40 pm
Leaving the country at such an odd moment to enjoy ‘sightseeing’ overseas, he must have known that he cannot handle the hot situation and answer himself in Parliament. It is not the first time he has absconded from the august House. What a better way to ‘cabut’ now and have an excuse and let the goons and second-liners take over the fort to face the bombardment, shelling and firing in Parliament from the Opposition. In short, they are left in dire straits to face the ‘firing squad’ of PR MPs!
Passing the buck and responsibility seems to be the norm of BN ministers. Taxpayers and the rakyat will wait and see what they will do next. What accountability and job commitment!
#3 by sheriff singh on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 2:44 pm
Are they carrying out large suitcases?
(Gee, my words now are Tells, Parliament,)
#4 by Cinapek on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 3:33 pm
BN SOP (standard operating procedure) to disappear when tough questions are coming up in Parliament. Remember the PKFTZ issue when Chan Kong Choy did a disappearing act at the most opportune time?
And when your minions make a fool of themselves answering these tough questions, just deny that was your view and come out with appropriate answers after everyone has been desensitized.
#5 by monsterball on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 3:34 pm
He is doing exactly like Dollah did..running away…when he should face Parliament and answer questions on the RM7 billion matter.
He knows he has no sensible answers.
Dumb and dumber are the final acts of Mahathir..who got backfired…by them.
That’s how much UMNO love country and Malaysians…..always play party politics….and doing everything to win votes.
It’s getting more and more worst…as the are desperados…are trying hard..to win votes..this way.
How fair can a government be …..when everything is done to win votes…and trying so hard to please one race…yet control their minds with a religion….not allowing them to choose or think freely.
Go ..think about it.
#6 by bokiasee on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 4:15 pm
this is a common practice n culture in BN , biasa -lah ! uncle kit be patient this people got no guts to face the music ,so might as well go abroad ‘makan angin’ now school holiday ma ! this is very obvious, it has been practice for the pass 51 years .thats how Malaysia today ,majority people are ‘susah’ in this beloved country,they work very hard for their family as well as for the beloved country ,generations after generations ! n yet what do they get ,nothing !
#7 by mendela on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 4:19 pm
With petrol price at below USD 60/barrel now, how many RM 7 Billions can Malaysia afford to squander away?
BTW, Najis, I have heard that Peru is a great place to do money laundering. Also, cocaine is cheap too!
#8 by cinaindiamelayubersatu on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 7:32 pm
apa kau sibuk, aku pun nak enjoy jugak. negara bolehland ini kan ada auto pilot. kalau ada apa apa hal sms lah aku, nanti aku balaslah. tapi sekarang aku nak enjoy…
#9 by vsp on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 8:51 pm
It is said that history often repeats itself. Remember when Najib’s father went to London and return in a coffin? So, when Najib return in a coffin Malaysians can honour him and bury him in the “black hole”.
#10 by luking on Monday, 17 November 2008 - 9:33 pm
vsp,u r great to recal that.As one of my friend remarked over lunch.he and botak goes together,could it b destined to that happening over the sky,as both are said to b so bad hearted and cursed silently by so many people.
#11 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 4:31 am
Najib should just leave the country alone.
#12 by jartze on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 5:11 am
Typical Malaysian style. When facing trouble, keep silence, dodge it, turn off the cell phone, leave the country. After a while, people will ‘naturally’ forget about it.
Btw, so far Malaysia is the ONLY country in the world that says the economy crisis has NO effect on us. Even U.S., China, European countries are all working hard to get through the mess, Malaysian govn can still proudly say, ‘Not affecting us. We will have 3% growth.’ The growth rate is dropping dramatically, the inflation rate is shooting up high, our government is still very confidence of the situation. That’s bull.
#13 by GodFromHeaven on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 1:09 pm
Play Boy only know more about girl.. HAHAAA
#14 by xplora on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 - 6:49 pm
This is what happen when the government has rule for more than 50 years. They just don’t simply care about us anymore until they really lost, BUT we will be in deep trouble if he becomes the PM.
I just can’t believe how he simply wins the PM Post without any opponent, especially with so many scandals behind of him!
#15 by rotiplata on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 - 1:19 pm
najib that cuckoo is leaving to see another mongo …