Anwar to Najib: Re-table budget 2012

The opposition leader says the budget has failed to achieve its targets.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim wants Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to re-table Budget 2012 in view of the slower economic growth of 4.7% in the first quarter of this year.

He said this was important because the Najib administration failed to achieve its target since 2011.

“It is the second time that Najib’s administration failed to achieve important economic targets which were the basis for Budget 2012.

“The first economic target missed was the economic growth for 2011, which at 5.1% was lower than the projected growth used by BN in the budget,” he said in a press statement.

The economic growth forecast for 2011 was 5.0% – 5.5% and for 2012, 5% – 6%.

To re-address the problem, Anwar wanted Budget 2012 to be re-tabled during Parliament session next month.

“I reiterate my call made in Dewan Rakyat previously that the Budget be re-tabled for a debate in the June session of the Parliament because the growth assumptions were wrong,” he said.

Yesterday, Najib announced that Budget 2013 would be tabled on Sept 28.

The prime minister, who also oversees the finance portfolio, said the new budget was themed “Driving Transformation Towards A Developed Nation.”

Bumi equity ‘hijacked’

Meanwhile, Anwar also criticised BN’s mishandling of the economy in achieving the 30% equity for the bumiputera and highlighted Pakatan Rakyat’s proposal to bolster the economic power of Malaysians.

“One of the most radical economic realignments proposed is to shift the policy focus from the much abused 30% equity target for the bumiputera currently pursued by BN towards an income-based economic target of RM4,000 minimum household income for each family within five years of Pakatan’s administration.

“The 30% equity target has been hijacked by cronies to enrich themselves at the expense of the general public,” he said.

“The disparity between the rich and poor widens significantly as a result of the abuses done in the name of achieving the 30% equity target.

“A fairer management of the country’s wealth should rightly focus on ensuring every family can prosper economically under the Malaysian sun.

“Every family’s income must rise in tandem with the rise in cost of living.

“Every family must earn above the poverty level so as to be able to invest in the future of their children,” he added.

‘Debate with me’

Anwar said the economic target set by Pakatan that the combined income of each Malaysian family should be at least RM4,000 a month was not only morally right but achievable through a combination of pro-people economic policies proposed.

He also reiterated his call for a debate with Najib on economic issues if the latter felt that the current economic policies were on the right track.

“If he is confident that Pakatan will not be able to deliver our economic promises, he must be bold enough to defend his conviction in a public debate.

“His refusal to debate with me on economic policies can only confirm the assertion that he is leading a weak government – economically, morally and intellectually,” he added.