PM Najib solicits public proposals for Budget

A screen capture shows part of Najib’s personal website, 1malaysia.com.my.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has invited Malaysians to participate in the Budget 2013 discussions by contributing ideas and sharing their suggestions and views online from today to July 29.

The prime minister said the platform was an opportunity for everyone to submit their ideas and input for the consideration of the Finance Ministry.

The public may submit their opinions by clicking on the appropriate place on the latest posting on Najib’s blog, 1malaysia.com.my, under the topic “Budget 2013: I Want Your Views”.

“On the 28th of September, I will table the National Budget for 2013 on behalf of the federal government in my capacity as finance minister. I believe it is important that the rakyat (citizens) be given an avenue to voice their ideas on how we can best bring this country forward on the world stage, socially and economically.

“As with previous years, I am looking forward to discovering fresh ideas and potential solutions from my fellow Malaysians,” Najib said in his blog.

The prime minister said the discussions would focus on several topics, such as cost of living, public security, property prices, the role of youth in economic development, food production, the entertainment and creative industry, and other prominent issues that affect the people.

“Currently, less than 10 per cent of Malaysians pay tax. So the key challenge we have is to broaden and transform our revenue base to ensure that the budget deficit is kept to a manageable level and that we do not spend beyond our means,” he said.

To achieve this, he said, it is necessary to focus both on stimulating domestic investment as well as attracting foreign investment through the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

“We have already made a strong start — the IRB (Inland Revenue Board) collected RM110 billion of revenue last year — which has enabled us to fund key services to help people, such as the BR1M (1 Malaysia People’s Aid) and book vouchers.

“To keep this momentum up, we need everyone to contribute their ideas. So, I invite you to participate in the Budget 2013 discussions,” he said. — Bernama