BUDGET 2027, the fifth budget of the Madani government, was introduced with much fanfare.
Whether the budget truly addresses the socio-economic problems faced by Malaysians is something that deserves serious consideration.
In anticipation of the 16th General Election (GE16), the budget appears to be election-oriented.
Overall, the emphasis was on fiscal discipline, allocations to soften the impact of financial hardship, and preparing the country for further investments in high technology, software development and other sectors.
The budget’s general assistance includes raising the minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM2,000 effective June 2027.
It also provides RM16 bil in cash assistance for lower-income Malaysians, personal income tax relief ranging from RM9,000 to RM12,000, stamp duty relief for first-time homebuyers and RM8 bil for the development of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes.
This general financial assistance applies to all Malaysians, particularly those in the B40 category.
A let-down to Indians
In this regard, the Indian community, a substantial proportion of whom belong to the working class, stands to benefit from these measures.
The budget also spells out specific assistance for the Indian community, including RM150 mil for MITRA (Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit), RM150 mil to assist Indian entrepreneurs, RM50 mil for repairs to Tamil schools and RM80 mil for Hindu temples and other non-Muslim places of worship.
However, the publicity surrounding the budget does not appear to be matched by substantial financial assistance for the Indian community.
Like several earlier budgets, Budget 2027 is a major disappointment to the community.
It is not that Indians expect much from what I regard as the hypocritical Madani government headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The reality, in my view, is that the principal beneficiaries of the budget are the wealthy and well-connected elites within the ruling political parties and the government.
Given the unequal access to wealth and public services in the country, those in the upper echelons of society remain better positioned to benefit from economic development.
Ordinary Malays who make up a substantial part of the country’s workforce, continue to face economic marginalisation. They have much in common with other disadvantaged sections of the non-Malay communities.
‘Sycophant Indian leaders’
Budget 2027 offers nothing substantial to the Indian community. In the absence of honest and courageous leaders willing to speak up and articulate the concerns of the community, the Madani government appears to take Indians for granted.
It seems willing to listen only to Indian leaders in DAP, PKR and MIC whom I regard as sycophantic.
Having betrayed the rights of the community, these leaders have forfeited their moral authority to represent its interests and articulate its concerns.
As I have said many times in the past, the Indian community needs an allocation of RM2 bil as a starting point, not the pittance provided under next year’s budget.
The allocations for MITRA, Tamil schools, Hindu temples and Indian entrepreneurial development are hardly sufficient to make a meaningful impact on the socioeconomic standing of the community.
Those who praise Anwar for the budget do not seem to understand the plight of ordinary Indians.
The Madani government can pass hundreds of budgets but they will remain meaningless to Indians as long as the community is not respected for its contributions and accorded dignity in its existence and identity.
If the Madani government were sincere and forthright in addressing the community’s concerns, there would be no need to wait for the annual budget to introduce meaningful measures.
The Indian community deserves more than announcements, publicity and modest allocations. It deserves a clear, adequately funded and sustained commitment to addressing its longstanding socioeconomic problems.
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT
- Focus Malaysia.
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