The following are salient points in the mini-budget announced by Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Razak today:
GDP growth is expected to be in the range of -1% to 1% for 2009. Without the
two stimulus packages, the economy faces the prospect of a deep recession.
RM60 billion stimulus package - RM15 billion is fiscal injection, RM25
billion Guarantee Funds, RM10 billion equity investments, RM7 billion
private finance initiative (PFI) and off-budget projects, as well as RM3
billion in tax incentives.
According to the government, the deficit can be financed from domestic
sources. The financing of the deficit will not crowd out the private sector
in sourcing funds.
The RM60 billion is allocated to achieve four aims:
1. Reducing unemployment, increasing employment - RM2 billion
2. Easing the burden of the rakyat, especially vulnerable groups - RM10
billion
3. Assisting the private sector - RM29 billion
4. Building capacity for the future - RM19 billion
RM2 bil to reduce unemployment, increase employment
To create a total of 163,000 training and job placement opportunities in the
public and private sectors
To establish 22 JobsMalaysia Centres and upgrade 109 existing centres to
facilitate access for workers and employers to obtain job placements, career
counselling and information on training opportunities
Employers who employ workers retrenched from July 1 2008 be given double tax
deduction on the amount of remuneration paid.
Government to recruit 63,000 staff to fill vacancies and serve as contract
officers in various government agencies
To encourage more Malaysians to pursue Masters and PhD by financing tuition
fees and research grants up to RM20,000 for student pursuing PhDs locally
and RM10,000 for those taking Masters programme
Levy on foreign workers will be doubled for all sectors except construction,
plantation and for domestic maids; the levy will be paid by the employers
and not by the workers.]
RM10 bil to ease the burden of the rakyat
To assist oil palm and rubber smallholders whose incomes have been affected
due to declining commodity prices.
RM674 million in subsidies to be allocated to avert price increases of
necessities, such as sugar, bread and wheat flour.
To provide RM480 million to ensure that toll rates are not increased. With
these above measures, the government will allocate a sum of RM27.9 billion
for subsidies in 2009.
House buyers be given tax relief on interest paid on housing loans up to
RM10,000 a year for three years.
RM200 million to repair and maintain drains and roads.
RM150 million for renovation, maintenance and repairs of welfare homes, fire
and rescue stations and quarters, as well as public toilets in mosques,
surau and tourist spots.
RM1.95 billion to build and improve facilities in 752 schools, particularly
in rural areas as well as Sabah and Sarawak, with RM300 million to be used
to improve facilities in government-aided religious schools, national-type
Chinese and Tamil schools as well as mission schools.
RM230 million will be provided to increase the coverage of electricity and
water supply in rural areas, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
RM350 million will be provided for the construction of rural roads.
RM1.2 billion to be allocated in Sarawak and Sabah. This include the
expansion of Sibu Airport, deepening works at Miri Port, repair and improve
infrastructure damaged by floods, upgrading of schools as well as
construction of Lawas Training Centre, Kota Samarahan Industrial Estate and
tourism facilities.
In Sabah, among the main programmes and projects to be implemented include
building of Giat Mara centres, Kota Kinabalu Electricity Transmission
System, as well as upgrading of schools, roads and bridges. The government
to take action to resolve issues related to health services in Queen
Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah.
Existing tax exemption of RM6,000 given on retrenchment benefits be
increased to RM10,000 for each completed year of service. Banks to allow
retrenched workers defer the repayment of their housing loans for one year.
RM29 bil to assist the private sector
RM5 billion to provide working capital to companies with shareholder equity
below RM20 million. The government to provide guarantee in the ratio of
80:20, that is 80% will be guaranteed by the government and 20% by the
financial institutions.
To set up an Industry Restructuring Guarantee Fund Scheme totalling RM5
billion for loans to increase productivity and value-added activities, as
well as the application of green technology.
Securities Commission to implement additional measures to reduce
time-to-market to enable companies to raise funds in the capital market in a
more efficient and cost-effective manner including doing away with approvals
for rights issues by listed companies.
A new programme where permanent resident status would be considered for
high-net-worth individuals bringing more than US$2 million for investments
or savings in Malaysia.
RM5,000 discount to be given to car owners, who trade in their cars which
are at least 10 years old, for the purchase of new Proton and Perodua cars.
RM2 billion for a new LCCT at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which is
expected to be ready in 2011.
A rebate of 50% on landing charges will be given for a period of two years
effective 1 April 2009 to all airlines that operate from Malaysia. Likely to
result in lower air fares.
Company's current year losses be allowed to be carried back to the immediate
preceding year.
An Accelerated Capital Allowance to encourage companies to renovate and
refurbish their business premises. The allowance is capped at RM100,000.
RM200 million to upgrade infrastructure in tourist spots, diversify tourism
products, organise more international conferences and exhibitions in
Malaysia as well as improve the homestay programme.
RM19 bil to build capacity for the future
To promote domestic private investments, the investment funds of Khazanah
Nasional Berhad will be increased by RM10 billion.
Khazanah to invest RM3 billion in the telecommunications sector, which among
others, will facilitate its subsidiary to improve broadband infrastructure.
RM1.7 billion of Khazanah's investment to go into Iskandar project for the
building of infrastructure, hotels, theme parks as well as universities.
RM5 billion for 23 projects implemented on off-budget basis, including LCCT
at KLIA and the expansion of Pulau Pinang Airport at an estimated cost of
RM2 billion and RM250 million.
RM2.4 billion for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to
improve telecommunication infrastructure.
RM100 million to build sky bridges and covered walkways between buildings,
especially in the Golden Triangle, Kuala Lumpur.
RM2 billion for private finance initiative (PFI) and public-private
partnerships.
RM20 million for Radio Televisyen Malaysia to implement several projects to
develop the local music industry.
All government procurements will be made through open tenders or restricted
tenders, except for specific cases.
Posted by fudzail at 3:10 PM
DR: It is our hope that Najib's stimulus package will ride us over the looming world recession. And bring back prosperity to the country in the immediate future.
No comments:
Post a Comment