Affordable housing tops Budget 2013 wish list

Many who have taken up Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's call to provide feedback for the Budget 2013 have placed affordable housing at the top of their wish list.

Of the first 100 suggestions ranked by popularity, a large number of people asked that premier take steps to ensure affordable housing particularly for the middle income group.

"I hope the government will do something about the sky-rocketing price of houses available for the common rakyat. It is simply too inaccessible for many to own a decent house these days," suggested a user named Teryyck which garnered 183 "likes".

Similarly, Mathew from Klang Valley stated: "Government needs to seriously establish mechanisms to control price of properties that has spiralled out of control as they are bought by speculators and foreign buyers as investments (thereby) encouraging developers to build homes for them rather than locals".

"We need affordable houses...Please oh please make the price and size of houses worth buying," said Ammaray93 from Selangor.

Another user by the name of Ir Fird even suggested that housing programmes for the poor and hardcore poor be made available to the middle class.

"Rumah Mesra Rakyat 1 Malaysia and Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) should be opened to middle income group... The fact is that low income group have houses but middle income group is still renting in the big city is so sad and pitiful," he said.

Among other popular requests that top the list include breaking the monopoly of satellite broadcaster Astro and an increase in tax relief.

Affordable satellite TV a must

"Break Astro's monopoly. Licences for MEASAT satellite and satellite television should be opened to other companies. Encourage competition so that prices can be more competitive and consumers' rights will be protected," said Amirul from Johor whose suggestion received 130 "likes".

"Astro should bear the six percent service charge, not the customers," added Adi Shah from Kuala Lumpur.

On tax relief, Cik Kiah from Perlis said: "I hope the government can increase tax relief for children. 

"RM1,000 per year for one child is no longer relevant to the cost of living now".

Meanwhile Ling from Penang said: "Give more tax reduction to middle income group. We are suffering from Inflation. Separate the life insurance and Employees' Providence Fund (EPF) deduction and increase personal deduction from RM9,000 to RM11,000. Things are very expensive now".

Other issues that were raised included improvement to public transportation, affordable cars, improved policing and security, tax relief for the purchase of green technology products and concerns about the influx of immigrants.

Najib who is also finance minister had on July 16 called on Malaysians to chip in on what they would like to see in the upcoming budget due to be tabled Sept 28.

As of today, a total of 1,032 people have submitted 1,295 suggestions to the premier. The online budget feedback will run until July 29 and any suggestions for the premier can be submitted here.