PERBENTANGAN BAJET 2012 | SIARAN LANGSUNG BAJET 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was happy with the involvement and participation of the public in providing feedback and suggestions for the budget.

Najib who is also the Finance Minister said in the run up to the preparation of the 2012 Budget that would be tabled on Friday, hundreds of proposals, recommendations and feedback had been received, marking a very healthy and happy development.

"As finance minister as well as Prime Minister, this week I will deliver one of the great set-pieces of any democratic society, our budget plans for the year ahead.

The decision-making process for the budget reflects Malaysia's economic complexity and diversity. There is no straightforward, one-size-fits-all answer.

At the core, we have a sound economy with continued strong growth, and this positive growth comes with its set of challenges: expectations and aspirations are high in our country and people want to be able to plan ahead with confidence," he wrote on his blog www.1malaysia.com.my.

Najib said the development proves that the 1Malaysia concept of People First, Performance Now is not just a slogan but entails noble values that include suggestions from the people.

He said the decision-making process for the budget reflects Malaysia's economic complexity and diversity. There is no straightforward, one-size-fits-all answer.

At the core, we have a sound economy with continued strong growth, and this positive growth comes with its set of challenges: expectations and aspirations are high in our country and people want to be able to plan ahead with confidence.

"This is Malaysia, a society in transition. We are experiencing, among others, longer life expectancy, growing urbanization, and an increase in the quality of and access to education. These socioeconomic changes are in turn cultivating a new Malaysia, filled with ambition and aspirations.

"This is what I call a good problem, one that points us all onwards and upwards, daring us to test our limits and scale new heights. It is what our forefathers had envisioned and strived for tirelessly, before bestowing the task upon us to build upon. This is what I hope to do, with all of you, together.

"1Malaysia seeks to build on the inheritance of the founders of our independence and nationhood by accelerating the pace of change and transformation," he said.

The Prime Minister said all over the world, the economic downturn was bringing nations to their knees and Malaysia has not escaped the impact of soaring global commodity prices and short-sighted policies of some economies.

He said the rising cost of living had become a serious issue that recently the Government introduced a seventh NKRA to address this problem.

"And I am fully aware that the hardest hit among Malaysians are also some of the hardest working.

"I have made it a priority to get out and meet as many Malaysians as possible. Over the past two years and seven months I have listened to the stories of so many ordinary Malaysians.

"They have told me how difficult it is to save up to buy a home, or to provide their children with a good education, or to support their family and elders on their salary. These stories are told to me by different people, and serve only to strengthen my resolve to make the right decision for the Rakyat, as is my duty.

"One thing must be made clear: these problems will not be resolved quickly, and neither will they disappear completely. I cannot make such a promise that is not humanly possible to fulfill. Some people may lead you to think otherwise, but they will not be able to tell you what it will ultimately cost you.

"It is the responsibility of a leader to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people. Many times these decisions forgo immediate short-term relief for long-term prosperity," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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