Budget 2023: Heartening to see PH’s proposals included – Chan

9 October 2022

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: DAP’s Kota Kinabalu MP, Chan Foong Hin welcomes the Budget 2023 that was tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul on Friday, especially when Pakatan Harapan’s proposals were included.

“At first glance, it is heartening to see proposals Pakatan Harapan’s engagement with the Ministry of Finance on 13 September 2022 as well as measures outlined in the Pakatan Harapan Budget Strategy Document release on 5 October 2022.

“The tax reduction for micro, small or medium enterprises (MSMEs) from 17 to 15 percent on the first taxable RM100,000 is much welcomed.

“While not as extensive as our proposal, this will give MSMEs some breathing space as they focus on building back their business after two years of braving the onslaught of restrictive Covid-19 control measures,” said Chan in a statement yesterday.

Chan also expressed appreciation on the inclusion of PH proposal to increase the housing credit guarantee to RM3 billion as part of the budget package.

He also welcomes the allocation provided to improve bus service and network in areas beyond Klang Valley which included Kota Kinabalu, albeit at a lower commitment of RM180 million compared to Pakatan Harapan’s RM500 million.

“Having said that, it is disheartening to see the absence of any particular measures to enhance Sabah and Sarawak industrial capacities.

“Pakatan Harapan had proposed RM1 billion worth of specific investment tax incentives and grants for the relocation of all types of industries, particularly all manufacturing sectors to Sabah and Sarawak. This is to increase GDP, employment and productivity of Sabah and Sarawak, and reduce the incidence of labour transmigration from those regions,” he added.

Chan stressed that, meaningful reforms also took a back seat when there were no mentions of the Government Procurement Act (GPA), the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office via the Parliamentary Services Act and measures to make elections more accessible, especially for Sabah and Sarawak out-of-constituency voters

“Enacting the GPA is particularly essential to ensure we do not see another mega scandal in the near future such as the infamous 1MDB, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and SRC Scandals.

“Of course, these are just several immediate points that I have highlighted. My Pakatan Harapan colleagues and I will pore through the pages of this document and raise our concerns in the Dewan Rakyat.

“But since there have been strong speculation of early dissolution, will this budget even see the light of day? Or will they just be sweet nothings that Barisan Nasional intend to dangle in front of voters for the upcoming election?”