KUALA LUMPUR: The formation of the new Malaysia with a new hope based on the spirit of love for the country depends on the government’s capability to fulfil all the pledges contained in its manifesto, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
He said the government had so far implemented some of the pledges, but some others could not be fulfilled due to the country’s financial issues such as the 1MDB scandal which has caused the country’s debt to rise above RM1 trillion.
“However, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is determined to fulfil as many promises as we can as soon as the financial situation is stabilised and the fiscal position is strengthened.
“More importantly, the PH government will always put the people’s wellbeing as its ultimate goal and as the fundamental bases of all its efforts,” Lim said in his 2018 National Day message today.
He said the government had even abolished the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and replaced it with the Sales and Services Tax (SST), stabilised the fuel prices despite the global oil price going up by 48 per cent to US$77 per barrel from US$52 per barrel previously, besides being able to give the people the Cost of Living Aid.
Meanwhile, Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said that this year’s Independence Day celebration was even more meaningful for all Malaysians as the country was now free of corrupt practices.
“By strengthening democracy and upholding the rule of law, people are no longer disunited and are now able to achieve solidarity with the values of justice and equality, dignity and human rights.
“We have the right to hope for a brighter future where every individual can enjoy equal opportunity to succeed as long as they are diligent and honest,” he said.--BERNAMA