I have not gone through the 2008 Budget in detail but I would like to post my general comment on it. In my next entry, I will provide both the plus and minus points of the budget for all of us to discuss.
CERTAINLY THE 2008 BUDGET MANAGES TO AROUSE A FEEL GOOD FACTOR AMONG THE PEOPLE IN LIGHT OF THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION. APART FROM PROVIDING VARIOUS SWEETENERS TO THE PEOPLE, THE BUDGET DOES NOT ADDRESS OTHER PRESSING ISSUES SUCH AS HOW TO SPUR DOMESTIC ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO IN FACING STIFF COMPETITION IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET LIBERALISATION. THE BUDGET ALSO FAILS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. I WOULD HOPE TO SEE THAT EFFORTS ARE BEING PUT IN PLACE (PARTICULARLY IN THE MONETARY TERMS) TO ACHIEVE THE GOOD GOVERNANCE OBJECTIVE BUT SADLY I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS IS TOUCHED IN THE BUDGET. HOW ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S ASPIRATION TO SEE A HEALTHIER MALAYSIAN SOCIETY? I DON’T THINK THE GOVERNMENT IS SERIOUS AS THE “SIN TAX” (TAXES ON CIGARETTES AND LIQUOR”) HAS REMAINED IN ITS CURRENT RATE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN THAT I AM NOT IMPRESSED BY THE BUDGET 2008. IF I WERE TO MAKE COMPARISON, THE RECENTLY RELEASED AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT HAS DONE A RELATIVELY BETTER JOB.
I read both the The Star and New Sunday Times on Sunday (September 9) and thought that it was the former which did a better reporting by highlighting the mismanagement of public funds as contained in the Auditor-General's Report.
