MO,12/4/2018, LANGKAWI: Sound economic management and prudent policy has enabled the government to distribute more wealth to the people by increasing the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and other cash payout. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said by managing the economic well, the country has recorded a steady growth and at the same time manage the national debt at a healthy level. Najib said the success in achieving 5.9 per cent Gross Domestic Growth (GDP) last year was made possible due to Barisan Nasional (BN) sound economic policy which helped the government record a higher revenue.
“By collecting more revenues and taxes from the well-to-do people, the government is able to distribute even more of the country wealth to the needy groups. “Because of this we are able to increase the BR1M cash handout to the target group, in line with the BN and Umno policy of distributing the wealth to the people. “This June, BR1M recipients will get RM800 instead of RM400, an increase of 100 per cent.. Just imagine how this will benefit the people in their making preparation for the fasting month and Aidil Fitri festive.
“So, what is wrong with this? It is part of the government pledge to distribute the nation wealth back to the people, not a tool to fish for support,” Najib said in his speech during a gathering with the people at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre here . Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Langkawi member of Parliament Datuk Ir Nawawi Ahmad, Ayer Hangat assemblyman Datuk Mohd Rawi Abdul Hamid and Kuah assemblyman Nor Saidi Nayan.
Najib said the government has always put priority to two dimensions, of putting the people first and strengthening the economy. He added that as a responsible government, BN would not resort into taking measures that could jeapordise the country’s economy, both in the short term and the long term as in the end, it is the people who would have to shoulder the burden. “Unlike the opposition which want to abolish all toll concessions nationwide just to fish for support (a move) which will cost the government a whopping RM380 billion.
“That does not make sense or not doable at all and ironically, the person who is proposing this is know as the father of toll concessions during his time in power. “It is under my time (administration) the government has taken steps to stop toll fare collection at several expresways to reduce the people’s burden,” he said. Najib pointed out that is why the international rating agencies did not pour support to the opposition’s manifesto for the 14th General Election (GE14) because they found it not realistic and would have a negative impact to the economy.
“Instead, the international rating agencies are favourable of BN manifesto because it is practical and deliveriable,” he said. Najib also pointed out that the his administration has successfully managed the nation debt to a healthy level through a prudent expenditure policy. “Previously, when someone was in power, the nation debt was at staggering 103 per cent but now we have able to reduce it to 58 per cent of the GDP,” he said.
Although Najib did not name anyone, it was understood that he was referring to Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
–NSTP
