Thursday June 12, 2008 MYT 4:26:41 PM

Better quality of life to be focus of next Budget

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The 2009 Budget will see more efforts by the Government to give Malaysians, particularly the low and middle income wage earners, a better quality of life, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

The Prime Minister said while the Budget would be formulated with the aim to achieve the national mission of Vision 2020, it would also introduce new initiatives for a better distribution and sharing of the nation's wealth among Malaysians from all walks of life.

Abdullah said it was important for all parties, including Members of Parliament, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to "put on their thinking caps" to find ways and means on how the Government could provide more assistance to those in need, including senior citizens and the disabled.

"We need to find innovative and clever ideas to tackle the issue of the rising cost of living and the dwindling supply of food.

"We need views from all and we hope that MPs, being close to the rakyat, can give us positive feedback and suggestions as to how we can tackle the issues and at the same time, provide satisfactory services to the rakyat," he said Thursday in his opening remarks at the 2009 Budget consultation session with the backbenchers.

The Prime Minister said the Government would continue to give "sound and strong support" to the private sector, particularly the small and medium scale industry, adding that the development of regional economic corridors was the most suitable platform to encourage such activities.

"At the same time, we need to ensure no one is left behind from the mainstream development. The 2009 Budget will see sustainable economic growth that goes hand in hand with ensuring the prosperity of the people," he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the four-hour session with the backbenchers was fruitful as a lot of ideas and suggestions were thrown to the Prime Minister on areas of service that could be improved.

He said most of the MPs had asked the Government to continue with critical infrastructure development such as providing electricity and water to all homes, and the construction of roads.

"The MPs have also suggested that public transportation be improved, not only within big cities like Kuala Lumpur but also in smaller towns and rural areas as well.

"They have also thrown in views on how the Government could improve the quality of life of Malaysians. All these suggestions will be looked through and considered," he said.

Meanwhile Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the dialogue session was a good opportunity for the Barisan Nasional MPs to raise issues and suggestions that they have for the Budget directly with the Prime Minister.

"I have raised a few suggestions related to agriculture especially on padi farming, mainly on how we need to emulate Thailand in rice production," he said.

(The Star)