I read about microcredit programmes in DPM Datuk Seri Najib’s speech. After reading the book by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, I fell in love with the concept of microcredit. According to DPM’s speech, currently Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usahawan Nasional (TEKUN), Bank Simpanan Ekonomi Kumpulan Usahawan Nasional (TEKUN), Bank Simpanan Nasional and AgroBank are offering micocredit without collateral.
Microcredit is certainly the best way to eradicate poverty because it turn those poor people into self-employed people. Muhammad Yunus had gained success in his own home country – Bangladesh, as well as countries all over the world.
There is also an incentive for retrenched worker to defer their housing loan for one year. Personally, I think this idea is not bad as it will prevent retrenched workers from losing their house.
Regarding the move to attract high-net-worth and skilled individuals, I think the Government has no sincerity in carrying this because permanent resident status would only be considered if individuals bring more than USD 2 million for investments or savings in Malaysia. Malaysia certainly has not done good enough in attracting talents because it is a fact that we’re STILL losing thousands of talents to Singapore and some other countries like Australia, US, UK, etc every year.
RM 200 million will be provided as an allocation to the Automotive Development Fund to continue supporting the development of the automotive industry and vendors as well as establish the Automotive Institute of Malaysia. Why is the Government still supporting only Proton and Perodua? The rakyat has suffered for tens of years buying expensive and low quality cars from national car makers. It is time to open up the market, introduce a level playing ground. It will benefit the rakyat as we won’t have to pay such a hefty sum to buy a low-quality car and the local car maker will improve due to competition from foreign car makers especially Japanese car makers. Isn’t it a win-win strategy?
In 2009, Khazanah will invest RM3 billion in the telecommunications sector, which among others, will facilitate its subsidiary to improve broadband infrastructure in the country.
Currently our broadband industry is being monopolized by Telekom and it does not do any good to the industry. I know the Government is doing this due to vested interest but if you really want to benefit the rakyat, you need to bring in competition!
Lots have been talked about in this budget but I can’t see anything that’s related to public transport. The rakyat needs good public transportation system badly. It’s also good to hear that the Government proposed to increase the number of scholarships for entry into local private universities, but again, please do it based on meritocracy.
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