THE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) welcomes measures outlined in the 2025 Budget.
The underlying policy to help the needy and tax the rich is laudable.
The allocation for operating expenses is RM335 billion, and RM86 billion for development expenditure. Rigorous oversight is essential to ensure that funds are used effectively and transparently.
The provision for the increase of minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM 1,700 is long overdue, a necessary step to protect workers' livelihoods.
The decision not to impose sales tax on basic food items, while ensuring premium imported goods such as salmon and avocados are taxed, is a prudent step to reduce the outflow of the ringgit and encourage the consumption of local produce to strengthen the domestic economy.
This policy must be supported through concerted efforts to boost agricultural output and food production through various funds and incentives.
The RM27 million allocation to incentivise farmers and livestock breeders towards increasing the production of beef cattle, goats for mutton, dairy goats, sheep, as well as onions should contribute to our food security and autonomy.
The cartel control of food production and distribution must be eliminated to ensure affordable food prices for the people.
The budget also announced allocations for the implementation of 48 People's Residency Programmes (PRR) and 14 Affordable Housing projects.
While these housing projects are important, the government must ensure that residents pay their maintenance fees, as many PRR projects suffer from poor upkeep due to unpaid maintenance fees.
State and federal lands should be developed to provide affordable housing. The Housing and Local Government Ministry should set up a Housing Board to develop federal and state lands to provide housing for low-income groups.
The allocation of RM45.3 billion should help to relieve the pressure on our public hospitals and improve their services. The imposition of a charge on the wealthy seeking treatment in public hospitals is justified.
On healthcare, the phased increase in excise duty on sugary drinks, starting at 40 sen per litre on Jan 1, 2025, is a positive step towards promoting healthier lifestyles.
CAP urges vendors to offer discounts on sugar-free drinks to encourage consumers to make healthier choices. Type 2 Diabetes is mainly caused by sugar intake and is preventable through dietary measures.
The Education Ministry must use the RM64.1 billion to improve the quality of education, as well as the morals and ethics of the future generation.
We must instil good values in children, do away with rote learning and focus on creative thinking in addition to addressing the breakdown in discipline and rise in gangsterism among students.
Lastly, CAP calls for petrol subsidies to be removed and help for the lower-income group through cash payments. This will simplify the system for providing financial assistance to targeted needy individuals.
In summary, CAP applauds the 2025 Budget, and we call for further efforts towards strengthening the local economy, wage reforms and accountability.
MOHIDEEN ABDUL KADER
President
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times