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2012 budget – cornucopia of goodies for votes

Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 2012 Budget on Friday was a veritable cornucopia of goodies for votes in the 13th general elections – the most brazen and cynical budget exercise in the nation’s history to reach out for voter support from a whole swathe of targetted groups comprising important vote-banks.

But the inequitable and corrupt system which bred decades of injustice, inequality and exploitation remains completely untouched.

The 2012 Budget is designed to win the next general elections for Najib and not to reform and transform the country’s system, structures and institutions to end the rot which has seen Malaysia losing out in international competitiveness and being overtaken by more and more countries in national, economic and human resource development including in South East Asia.

It is no surprise that reactions to Najib’s “election budget” apart from the Barisan Nasional bandwagon had not been so ecstatic, with Transparency International lamenting that the 2012 Budget “fails to inch the country towards any form of transparency and accountability” while economic analysts describing it as a “non-event for the market” because of its over-rosy projections whether revised economic growth target of 5 to 5.5 per cent of GDP for 2011 and from five to six per cent next year or the projected budget deficit of 4.7 per cent next year.

The question all are asking about the 2012 Budget is not whether Malaysia will become more competitive and better positioned to achieve the goal of a developed and high-income nation but whether it will fortify UMNO and Barisan Nasional’s position in the next general election and save Najib’s premiership.

This in a nutshell is what is wrong about Najib’s 2012 Budget.

At RM230 billion, an increase from RM213 billion in 2011, government spending has continued to soar without taking into consideration the long term effect for the nation. Moreover, much of the increment goes to the operating expenditure which rises from RM162 billion in 2011 to RM181 billion, while the development budget increased marginally to RM51.25 billion from RM51.18 billion in 2011.

In order to fulfill his promise to help the people to curb rising cost of living, it is not sufficient for Najib to give cash handout to certain groups as the government has ignored the welfare of the average man and woman who face the same cost-of-living pressures.

A more stringent targeted subsidy for the poor should be put in place instead of goodies according to occupational category to ensure that those who are really needy are being looked after.

32 Replies to “2012 budget – cornucopia of goodies for votes”

  2. Najib’s political legacy to UMNO and Malaysia will inevitably be two things – 1) Cheating e.g. illegal takoever of Perak, 2) buy-election. Hence it should be no surprise of these goodies. In fact more is yet to come as opposition attack it.

    What has been given out so far clearly can be almost negated by pointing out that the unrealistic budget projection means that such spending guarantees that GST will be implemented post-election. What Najib gives now he taketh away later. So inevitably Najib has to do more- much more and you will hear dreams of riches being literally poured down voter’s throat to silence their discontent. Its nothing but delaying inevitable collapse of the old system.

    Truth is the opposition got their work cut out for them. Najib really belittle the opposition even as he is fearful of them. His presumptiousness is the real opportunity for the opposition that must up their effort.

  7. It a lot worst than the opposition think. Najib know the recession will be here so no point being accurate about the projection. When the recession get here, he will use it as an excuse to cover what was NEVER achievable in the first place.

  8. It is Najib’s do or die baits to win 13th GE election.
    Feelers are out checking people’s reactions.
    He visited Ijok and proudly announced the residents there are crying and moving forwards to want a handshake with him.
    He is FEELING GOOD!!
    It seems his promoters want him to go on the road few more areas and check things out.
    He should go to Kelantan and feel good there….and maybe go to Kedah too.
    I bet you he dare not go to Sibu for his wheeling and dealings did not work with Malaysian Chinese.
    In short…it is always trying to fool and depend on the the Malays.

  9. The quote: Orang Malaysia senang lupa” sums up the reality of the Malaysian pysche! No wonder the person who said it could rule like a Maharaja for so many years with no question asked so lang that a mixture of illusion and reality could be exploited the ever gullible majority! Soon we will be like the EU’s PIGS for sure! Though our life span could be a little longer because of Petronas!

  11. One of their own agrees with me. The biggest gaping hole is that the budget is not ‘tranformative’. He fails his own standard and PR-exercise.

    http://sakmongkol.blogspot.com/2011/10/budget-2012-hardly-transformative.html

    For the opposition, its time to attack Najib – this kind of leadership is NOT going to take Malays where they want to go. He is very average, in fact likely below. Why is he, Rosmah in particular and his family being so richly rewarded for being so average? Malays have to be grateful for mediocrity?

    Najib is giving peanuts to most except for maybe Felda settlers. AND he is going to take it back after the GE. THIS is what is going to take us to ‘higher-income’? Its a pipe-dream, snake-oil sales pitch. The hallucination is going to wear off and they are still in the same crap or worst.

  12. Najib said…”Don’t deliver the Budget will mean suicide”
    It also mean…elect UMNO b to govern again and we will deliver.
    “What I promise….I never break my promises”…so said he at Kajang Park on Sibu State election.
    Najib has the longest string of unreliable characteristics in the history of all PMS..not forgetting a murder case hanging on his head.
    Do we want to get rid of CORRUPTIONS and DOUBLE STANDARDS…keep voting in UMNO b to live divided and apply..”It is not what you know…but who you know to succeed”
    It will be a sad day for all young Malaysians to grow up and be Race First…Malaysian Second.
    That will always weaken Malaysia…and when oil runs out….then they only know the truth?
    UMNO b is a corrupted party to the core.

  13. Check out a man who leads the country…saying it’s suicide…if they don’t deliver…fight to the last to prevent PutraJaya from traitors…offering bribes on by-elections openly….threatening….bullying….encouraging and provoking religion conflicts….spending tax payers money like water…many more and now……he cares so much about Malaysians and country?
    It’s all election ploy to keep fishing for votes.
    Of course we cannot know if they are true or false…and that’s what he is hoping all Malaysians think like that and vote UMNO b in again with him as elected PM…to prove he speaks all truths nothing but the truths.
    Wait for ONE bad sign …and out comes the real Najib.
    Right now…..it is a period to be humble…..nice…concern….caring…image.
    The real truth is Najib is just a show dog….never born a leader…must be told…advised and train what to do all the time.
    Without Rosmah…..Najib would have resigned long ago.
    “God forbids me to be like Rosmah”…so said Azizah.

  14. If all are sincere and true Malaysians concern for the country and people….especially the supporters of Najib…go and view Najib’s…..”You help me. I help you” speech at Rajang Park….again.
    Be unselfish and responsible Malaysians and tell me can you trust a PM talking like that.
    Najib is trying to fool Malaysians again.
    His budget is nothing but a prelude towards 13th GE.

  15. Of course 2012 Budget is not to reform and transform the kleptocracy’s system. It is to preserve it in next GE. It is to pay/redistribute back from whatever that is extracted/accumulated to the sectors forming the vote bank in reward for their political allegiance and as an inducement for their votes in coming GE. This form of power preservation and power extension using politically motivated distribution of financial and material inducements, benefits, advantages, and spoils is something that PR will find it hard to fight against for so long as significant sectors of our voters place Money loyalties to race religion and patronage as priorities – in that order – above rational policies based on accountability and governance. The corporates that enjoy monopolistic profits from BN will also donate generously for BN’s election campaign for preservation of their privileged position in the market. Ever it is true the saying that the people by which expression is meant the majority deserve the government they have. If minority were not happy, they can always ship out. That’s how it works here.

  16. UMNO is well trained in money politics. From the divisional levels to the state levels to the national level, all they do is play money politics.
    We don’t care about UMNO politics, but why are they playing with OUR money now ? Why are they treating OUR money as their party’s personal domain ?

  18. An election budget it is. It is obvious that its sole objective is to win the election, nothing else.

    Whether it is sustainable or credible or believable is not the issue here. The objective is to win the next elections. And so Najib just throws everything into the works and let PR defend, defend, defend, if it can. Advantage Najib.

    The rakyat has been given only one option really – vote BN and you get the goodies (maybe for only one time).

    Vote PR and you get nothing, no bonuses, discounts, benefits, vouchers in fact nothing. PR has really not offered them anything that will affect their immediate daily lives. Just promises that it, PR, will bring them better lives through better government in the future if they win.

    So what is your choice people?

    The man in the street is only concerned about getting the goodies even if it is to benefit them briefly. Such is the general way the common folks perceive things. Just like the free makans where you see people go for the food and then look out for another free makan. They live from free makan to free makan.

    Human rights ? Tung Shin ? Police abuses ? Corruption ? MACC ? Whatever ? Will these put bread and butter on their tables, cash in their pockets, pay bills?

    Important as these issues are, let the do-gooders and the righteous and the idealist ones fight for the ideals.

    The folks in the kampongs and in the areas where the majority of seats are, are really more interested in things that affect their immediate daily lives, their daily survival in the wake of difficult and trying times.

    If Najib can swing the popular voles just 3 to 5% in BN’s way, he and BN is home and dry. And PR will start to crumble from now on. A Najib / BN victory will see them stronger and to go all out to annihilate a weakened PR, just as what they did to PBS in Sabah until the latter raised the white flag and become a slave.

    So what will PR now do to retain the common folks’ loyalty and continued support and to swing more votes its way?

    How will it tell and convince the people to give up and to sacrifice all the goodies Mr Najib has promised them and live on ideals and hopes ? Will the common folks bite ? This will be the decisive and determining factor.

  19. Many warned. Dont be fooled by this jibby budget. I feel that if jibby thought he could fool anyone with this jibby budget he is only fooling himself. If any, its umno who is fooling themselves with salf serving thoughts

  21. What decisive factor?
    You mean Malaysians are so weak in mind and spirit to change overnight and support corruptions and double standards all over again?
    You mean….Najib is going to prove that liars ..murderers…robbers and thieves…all forgiven…when he announces good news to fool Malaysians?
    He cannot even fool Rajang Park folks….who are simple folks living simple lives.
    Yes…Najib is welknown to feel good….yet date not announce the 13th GE date.
    Always around the corner for months….feeling good..then sad..then angry….then..ready to die…and now….the last act to start all over again…..feeling and feeling.
    Why feel so much if he is sure to win 13th GE?

  22. I like to quote the late Steve Jobs advises to University students.
    ‘Be hungry. Be foolish”
    For Malaysians….be hungry to vote for change.
    Be foolish and accept all good news…especially government civil servants.
    Why not…it is good news
    And such good news will definitely have very bad news for others…for he cannot afford it.
    He knows it…so what are the bad news?
    Tax payers will know. You will know…as you go about your daily lives…things getting dearer and dearer.
    Why so.,,if Najib said we can afford it?
    Why can’t he reduce oil prices for a start to benefit all…and lead to a chain reactions of so much good news?
    Why not that?
    Najib said…13th GE around the corner and this involves the entire country…not a by-election.
    Be Hungry….for FREEDOM…to get rid of CORRUPTIONS…dirty Race and Religion politics.
    Be Foolish…and accept all bribes…all good news.
    It is your money ….take it with no shame and keep being hungry to throw robbers.. thieves murderers out.
    Hav’nt you have enough of these hypocrites and thieves?
    Cannot believe some still vote for UMNO b after 55 years…not accepting changes…as if a change us a dooms day for them too.

  23. Uncle Lim, is PR ready for a snap election?

    If I’m the PM, I’ll dissolve parliament right after this sitting next month due to the following reasons:

    1) He’s presently riding on a wave of popularity after the recent budget announcement
    2) Companies are still propping up the market for year-end window dressing
    3) When the stocks begin to tumble by January, it will be a bad time to call for election
    4) All the promised goodies can be given after BN wins
    5) The year-end Landas on the east coast is a minor problem if he looks at the larger picture
    6) The longer he delays the election the worse the situation will become.

    Good luck

  24. DAP chairman Karpal Singh believes the 2012 Budget is a good budget.

    Karpal said it is good that for the first time government even introduced free legal aid to the needy.

    “From the budget, the government plans to extend legal service to the poor and those in need, which I have to say is something good,” the prominent criminal lawyer said.

    “Everybody gets the goodies from the budget. Even as an opposition leader, I don’t think it is a bad thing. What matters is how the people would benefit from it.”

  25. Who says the budget is no good…..chengho?
    All good news….sure it is good.
    But it is not realistic and practical??
    Do you know the difference?
    Anyway..waste of time to explain for your mind is dead set….whatever Najib or BN do are all good.
    Come on…do you know Najib’s character well?
    You have been brainwashed……no cure.

  26. So jib is feeling good about the budget huh. Look at the papers. Smiling faces splashed all over the pages. But he didnt know something. The devil is that msm. Yeah. About the msm. A controlled msm is really a double edged sword. Of course ostensibly the control is directed at suppressing dissents. This umno has done remarkably well due in no small part to the widespread ignorance of voters – an advantage which umno is dead set to extend by bringing in more ignorant people (foreign labourers) into the country and giving them citizenship. But that is another issue. The other edge of the sword is less obvious. The msm in the country carries nothing much else apart from a chorus of continuous praise and verbal orgy for jibby the jib and umno; and an incessant hammering of pakatan. These no doubt would dress jib and umno with layers and layers of comfort and confidence. Of course the people knew well that the praising and the orgy have nothing to do with the pressing need to correct the severe corruption, cronyism, abuse of authority and potentially dire economic condition in the country. The msm simply put a gloss over these complaints. And with dissents suppressed and pakatan continuously hammered what jib and umno saw in the msm must be roses and butterflies. As a consequence of that they did not realise one important fact. What they saw are only as real as virtual reality. The msm in its over zealous effort to suppress the people’s voice have deceived jib and umno. The alternative online media would have given to them some indication of what the reality on the ground really is. But umno together with jib have grown too arrogant to listen. Expressions of dissent in the online media were simply brused aside by them as mere nonsense. This is apparent from the army of cybertroopers sent by them to counter those expressions in the WWW. The cybertroopers were clearly charged with only one duty which is to rubbish all dissents in the online media. So jib and umno beware. The msm is a devil. Dont play with it.

  27. D SAD truth is dat rakyat mudah lupa n easily fooled by some sweets offered by UmnoB
    CAN rakyat trust NR? JANGAN LUPA dis is d same supreme racist guy who had a KERIS in his hand n yelled 4 d BLOOD of his fellow M’sians not too long ago
    Yes, he declared “U tolong gua, gua tolong U“, but he also told himself “Nanti gua poke poke U with my keris, he he”

  30. It is so blatantly an election Budget that Najib, on the pretext of “explaining” the Budget is going on a roadshow to start his election campaigning. He is circumventing the election rules by getting a headstart in his campaigning because he knows once GE13 kicks off, he cannot be in all places at all times and he wants to drive the show himself to ensure he is in control of the all efforts to make sure BN gets reelected.

    The fact he has selected Selangor to launch the roadshow spells doom for Selangor. I think BN thinks PR is weak in Selangor and will collapse easily because Najib is confident he can tackle Selangor first and reserve his firepower for those marginal states nearer to election date. PR should read these signs and counter these strategies. In fact, knowing Najib’s roadshow intentions PR should take preemptive strikes and put him on the defensive rather than let BN take the initiative and PR then try to defend their position.

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