Monday, November 3, 2008

行动党槟州代表大会 林冠英揶揄江郎才尽 国阵患政治爱滋病




(槟城2日讯)民主行动党秘书长林冠英形容国阵经已江郎才尽,同时更中了“政治爱滋病”毒!

他所谓的“政治爱滋病”,指的是“无法获取知识份子的理念、理想及想像力综合病症”(Acquired Inerllectual Ideals,Ideas and Imagination Deficit syndrome),简称AIDs。

“也因为患上“政治爱滋病”,国阵才会不断以种族极端主义及宗教课题来捞取选票。”林冠英是出席周日在丹绒武雅海滨酒店举行的“2008年行动党槟州代表大会”,受邀致词时,如是表示。

他说,308政治海啸后,国阵却似乎还未得到教训,仍一直在炒作种族及宗教课题,甚至还出现了3大舞弊案。

他 指出,3个舞弊案包括(一)马银行用超出市价两倍的价格,即100亿8000万令吉,收购两家外国银行,以80亿令吉收购印尼国际银行,另外以28亿令吉 收购巴基斯坦MBC银行的20%股份、(二)以16亿令吉购买12架没有试飞过的欧洲直升机Cougar、(三)在没有经过公开招标的情况下,以110亿 3000万令吉进行高速宽频计划。

促国阵巫统勿像井底蛙 坚持封闭失竞争力

林冠英促国阵及巫统勿再活似个“井底之蛙”,但是,若他们坚持停留在封闭的社会的话,那他们也只能继续留在井底。

由于巫统近日不断攻击槟州政府设立各语言路牌,为不尊重马来文的做法,对此,他在会上反问道,州政府只是根据各别地区的需求而增加多语言路牌,这又有什么错?!

“请不要怀疑民主行动党尊重及捍卫马来文做为官方语文的立场,我们甚至在2006年修改党章,承认马来人为我国官方语言,阐明这个立场。”

他说,巫统和国阵应张大眼睛,看一看其它国家如中国,都设有各语言路牌,并希望他们不要好像“井底之蛙”一样,因为在一个封闭的社会是不能生存,也不具备国际竞争力的。

他亦质疑,当初政府决定以英文教数理,取代国文时,巫统为何没有以“捍卫母语”为理由而挺身反对?“这就是国阵和巫统的虚伪!很明显地,马来西亚人越团结,国阵巫统就越衰弱;同样的,唯有分裂马来西亚人,国阵才能再次强大。”

槟3转型打造成国际城市

另一方面,也是槟州首长的林冠英表示,槟州需要完成经济转型、政治转型及道德的转型,以将其打造成为一个国际城市。

对于民联可在308大选后执政槟州及其它州属,林氏认为他们所取得的江山及胜利全属于槟州人民。

他接着说,民联可在308大选胜岀,基本上有3大因素:严守纪律及决心、创新及逻辑性的新点子、以民为本的原则。

他指出,州政府将坚守3大核心价值,即信念、希望与爱的领导方式,将槟州打造成一个投资者属意的投资地点、游客喜欢的旅游景点及大马人向往的永续安居乐业的城市。

经济不景气 外资不减 外商信任槟政府

“经济状况良好时,来槟城投资是正常的,惟,经济不景气,却可吸引外资前来投资,这是非常难得的。”

林冠英透露,尽管全球面对金融危机,但槟州却能够吸引更多的外资,显示外资对槟州新政府与槟州未来寄以信任,而韩国最近宣布耗1亿美元在峇都交湾投资高尔夫球场建设项目就是最好的例子。

他表示,他昨日刚从韩国返国,而他已2次前来该国招商,并说,平常前往一个新地点招商,一般需要4至5次才能成功,而这次前往2次便看到成绩,令他感到开心。此外,他补充说,美国一家著名公司将在周二宣布在槟州投资的详情。

曹观友:必须兑现选前承诺 否则将遭人民否决

民主行动党槟州主席曹观友提醒党员,必须兑现所许下的承诺,因为人民可推选行动党上台执政,也可将行动党推下台。

因此,他认为党同人都必须交出好的施政成绩单,否则就会像首相拿督斯里阿都拉一样遭到人民的否决。

也是槟州行政议员的曹观友,今早首度在民联执政后,出席槟州行动党代表大会时,这么说。本届代表大会也是槟行动党执政槟州后的首次代表大会。

谈到行动党的挑战时,曹观友提醒党员必须紧记,当副首相拿督斯里纳吉接棒出任首相后,他很有可能在1年或1年半后重新回到民众寻求支持。

“所以,纳吉很可能闪电大选,这就是行动党的挑战,我们必须在这两年内巩固政治势力,落实我们的责任。”他也希望党员切记,没有党就没有政府。

谈到本届州委会改选时,他说,新届领导层责任重大,他们必须确保行动党能继续成为槟州的执政党。“我们大家都不想看到,行动党只做一届的州政府。”

他感到欣慰的是,大选前行动党的对手还在争论谁是下任槟首席部长,而民联则在大选提名前就已经克服所有问题,推出强大的竞选队伍并获得人民的支持。

“上届大选给我们启示是,团结可克服一切挑战,就像党委派候选人出征看来不可能胜利的选区,他们依然遵守指示,如郑雨周及郭庭恺分别出征丹绒武雅及玻璃池滑区,结果,终于取得胜利。”

行动党人气激升 与会代表增4倍

民主行动党在执政槟州后的首个代表大会,号召力急速“膨胀”,出席大会的代表以及观察员人数,较上届(两年前)增加了4倍之多,就连原任署理主席章瑛也直呼,从未见过这么大型的州代表大会!

今届的槟州代表于丹绒武雅海滨酒店召开,出任槟州首席部长的林冠英今次并未有角逐州委选举,仅以行动党秘书长的身份,为大会主持开幕。

其他没有参与竞选的国州议员尚包括现任第二副首长拉玛沙米、王国慧、刘镇东以及黄泉安。纵然如此,今届的党选可谓是过去数届来,最多候选人参与竞选的一次;同时也是出席率最踊跃的一次。

大会于上午10时15分左右开始,在原任主席曹观友及林冠英致词后,大会于12时许正式进行选举。206名代表们将从33名州委候选人名单中,投选出15名州委员会成员。

此外,今次大会也将首度公开让媒体采访下午时段的辩论环节。

林冠英出招揶揄民青团

槟州首席部长林冠英出招反击民青团的指责,更以“大象在眼前看不见,但没有鬼却说看到鬼”来揶揄后者无中生有的言论。

由于较早时民青团在一项记者会上,指责林冠英的韩国招商之行涉贪污滥权,因为在经济不景之际,仍带团远赴韩国,但对于民青团的言论,林首长认为那是因为国阵执政时大量挪用公款,经常引发贪污事件,为此,民青团才会认为“谁当权就贪污”的观念。

“不要把现在的政府想成是以前的政府,前朝政府贪污不能意味槟州民联也属贪污之辈。”他指对方的举动是无中生有的行为。

他反问民青团为何他们不去追问一些更大的课题,尤其国内发生的多项巨额贪污丑闻?林冠英把他们的行为形容成“明明有一只大象在眼前却看不见,但偏偏连鬼影都没有却说看到鬼!”

他是于周日出席该党槟州大会后的记者会上,如此表示。这也是林首长自韩国招商之行后,首次正式回应民青的抨击。较早前,他曾发文告就其招商成果作出部分汇报,间接地回应民青指责。

他说,他本人不会再就此事回应,反之会交由投资槟城董事经理拿督李家全召开记者会交待一切。

另外,询及纳吉频频在政策上亲民示好,且人民对“变天”开始感到质疑一事,林冠英不予正面回应,仅表示“槟州人民仍然对槟民联深具信心。”

较后,他继说,国阵领袖降油价的举措即使看似利民,然而,电费却不见有所调整,加上最近多宗丑闻也尚未解析,为此人民不能就此认为国阵就是最好的选择。

“如果国阵没有就机制进行改变,谁出任首相都只是换汤不换药。”

至于回教党就多元语言路牌一事持反对意见,他则以尚未看见上述言论而暂不予置评,而有关第2 大桥动工一事,他也谢绝回应。

眼部问题不便开车 谭咏发未出席

另外,原任州委员会代表之一的谭咏发,并未出席大会。《光华日报》记者较后联络他时,他称,由于他还未施白内障手术,因为视力问题而不方便开车。

“加上州主席曹观友事前也劝请我在家休息,虽然无法出席火箭执政以来的首个大会,但我已交代党同志帮我保留一份大会报告。”

饱受肾病缠身的谭咏发,并未参与今届的州委竞选。他在2005-2007年度州联委会中,与林慧英一同担任委员职。

槟行动党改选 章瑛罗兴强落选 曹观友蝉联主席

(槟城2日讯)2008年行动党槟州代表大会及改选周日举行,曹观友以大热姿态蝉联槟州民主行动党联委会主席职,林峰成拿下署理主席一职,而在初轮投票中获得最高票的佳日星,则与首长林冠英的胞妹林慧英齐出任副主席,最令人感到意外的是重量级人马章瑛和罗兴强落选。

行动党槟州原任署理主席章瑛及秘书罗兴强在初选中落马,过后也没被受委为州委。

身 为全国副秘书、妇女组主席及大山脚国会议员的章瑛,以及担任行政议员的罗兴强,尽管身居高职,但仍无法获得党员的委托,被挤出州委名单。章瑛在较早前的大 山脚联委会改选中,败给“重出江湖”的前任主席余万祥,震惊政坛,而在较后被委任为全国副秘书长,孰知,却再度在州选举中落败。

另一方面,在308大选中选为巴东拉浪区州议员陈宗兴,以及彭加兰哥打区州议员刘敬亿在首轮初选中“阴沟里翻船”,不过在受委州委中,却获得委员会的肯定,在联委会的名单上榜上有名。另外,也是曹观友助理的郑来兴,没竞选此次的联委会,也受委为州委。

在首轮投票中,加巴星儿子佳日星得到173票,位居榜首,第二高票为郑雨周(159票),至于第三高票的则是曹观友(154票)。另外,唯一一名巫裔的候选人朱基菲,也获得109票,成功过关。

老将彭文宝也差点落败,他在15名州委中排名第14,胜得惊险。

首次竞选的新人,只有黄伟益一人过关。15个中选的州委,有12个是来自槟岛,只有3人是来自威省,即林峰成、彭文宝以及丹那斯佳南。

今次的代表大会,共有33人被提名竞选,其中,国、州、市议员就占了约25名。在竞选名单中,17人来自威省;其他种族则有5名印裔和1名巫裔。

在这次共有13个新面孔问鼎州委,为历届最多候选人参选的选举。

“倒瑛浪潮”冲击 章瑛“受伤”不心灰

被“倒瑛浪潮”绊倒的槟民主行动党原任署理主席章瑛坦言,她对此次的改选成绩感到“受伤”,但不会心灰意冷。

“我想这样的成绩有两个可能性,一是我在遴选候选人时做不了受欢迎的决定,二是有人认为我对首席部长的影响力太大,以致影响到他们当了不行政议员。”

章瑛也是行动党副秘书长,她今午在落选槟行动党州委后,如是向传媒发表谈话。她感慨说,如果她真的有这方面的影响力,她早就自己当了行政议员。

询及她会否接受新届领导层委任她为州委时,她说,她是一个服从党决定的党员。 她举例,就像2004年大选,党找不到候选人竞选北赖州选区,她遵照党的指示攻打这个州议席。

“2008年大选前,我已经印好竞选北赖的海报,但在最后一分钟党领导致跟我说,有人要打这个选区,问我意愿如何,我的回答是,如果党指示我放弃,我接受。”她感叹,也许是她的性格过于坚持,以致她今天面对州委改选落选的局面。

罗兴强“无话可说”

同样尝到败绩的罗兴强行政议员,则对媒体表示“无话可说”。

冠英观友致词大走极端

值得一提的是,曹观友早前在为大会致词时就频频暗示,指名希望奋战十余年的罗兴强、章瑛、林峰城及彭文宝,能够继续地并肩作战下去,吊诡的是,秘书长林冠英则在致词时,与曹观友大走极端,矢言让新人领导该党。

另外,林冠英在致谢词时也就大会的辩论过程提出3大看法,即1)提倡廉洁,否则采取行动; 2)建议地方政府行政议员曹观友与市议会召开每月会议,以及乡委会自行进行每月会议,而秘书长也将会每两个月列席一次会议,以及3)提升党员形象,尤其是辩论素质。

他也说,他将会委任黄汉伟及黄伟益负责监督协调槟岛乡委会,而彭文宝与林峰城则负责威省一带。

郭庭恺升任秘书

曹观友当选民主行动党槟州民主行动党州联委会主席,郭庭恺出任秘书。

值得一提的是,初选中高票当选的环保议员郑雨周被选为组织秘书。

“无功也有劳”,勿赶尽杀绝” 元老派炮轰当权派

元老派不甘被“赶尽杀绝”,挺身炮轰当权派!

行动党元老黄指南,今日在首次让媒体采访辩论的大会上,对于当权派把元老派忘得一干二净而表示痛心,更认为行动党有今日的成就,元老派应记一功,不该将他们赶上绝路。

“尤其是委任市议员及村长时,党应该要想起元老派,毕竟我们无功也有劳,所以,党应该珍惜打死不走的元老派,不要把我们赶尽杀绝。”

2008年度槟州民主行动党州联委会执委名单:

主席:曹观友 署理主席:林峰成
副主席:林慧英、佳日星
秘书:郭庭恺 副秘书:杨顺兴
财政:陈翰威
政治教育主任:黄汉伟
组织秘书:郑雨周 副组织秘书:哈敏达星、陈宗兴
宣传秘书:黄伟益
票选州委:彭文宝、雷尔、丹那斯佳南、朱基菲
受委州委:陈宗兴、刘敬亿、郑来兴、克利斯南、魏祥敬
*曹观友表示,以上5位受委的州委是经过委员会的决定,通过提名的方式来委任他们。议长为苏建祥。(由光华日报报导)

郑雨周:10万桶“环保酵素” 可替代100万棵树

“环保州议员”郑雨周说,槟岛各社区和住宅区都应设有一座休闲公园。而将垃圾饱和的日落洞垃圾场蜕变为一座人民公园是一项非常好的概念。
郑雨周曾到泰国向当地“环保博士”罗世坤女士取经,发现“环保酵素”就是一种非常经济实用的环保方法。
郑雨周说,一桶“环保酵素”所散发的氧气等于10棵树木散发氧气的作用。
他说,他将尝试在丹绒武雅选区培养10万桶“环保酵素”。而它可以取替栽种100万棵树木的作用。

Proposed DAP 2009 Budget Brief

Proposed DAP 2009 Budget Brief

A. Introduction
The DAP 2009 Malaysian budget brief focuses on the twin challenges of global economic slowdown and our high dependence on oil and gas resources.

(i) Expected Global Economic Slowdown
The International Monetary Fund has announced that there was a 25 per cent chance that global growth would also slump to below three per cent in 2008, which is equivalent of a world recession. The IMF said global expansion over the last several years had rapidly dwindled due to financial turmoil created by the ongoing sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US.

In this crisis which started in 2007, lenders offered loans to higher-risk borrowers who wereunable to pay their mortgages when interest rates went up. It has been estimated that thiscrisis in the US could spawn total losses of $945 billion.

As a result, housing prices in the US are sliding downward very rapidly resulting in a major stress on the US financial system.

Warren Buffett, often regarded as the world's wealthiest man, said the US economy is still in arecession and unlikely to improve before 2009. Optimism among US Chief Financial Officershave plummeted with three-quarters of them predicting a recession at some point during 2008and nearly 90 percent say the economy will not rebound until 2009.

Therefore, Malaysia's economy cannot be expected to escape unscathed from the global turbulence. The challenge for Malaysia's 2009 budget is hence how to soften the impact of the global economic slowdown and at the same time cushion its impact on the lower and middle income segments of the rakyat.

(ii) High Dependence on Oil & Gas Resources
Based on the latest figures provided by Petronas, Malaysia's government today is even more heavily dependent on oil and gas revenue than ever before. For 2008, oil and gas receipts is expected to contribute in excess of 40% of the Government's revenue, exceeding 37% the year before.

This is a worrying trend in the light of oil reserves which will last for only another 2 decades and Malaysia becoming a net oil importer by 2011.

The relative increase of the oil and gas dependence versus contribution from the other economic sectors effectively means that the rest of our economic activities have not grown by much, if at all. The all-important manufacturing sector which contributes to in excess of 30% of our economy, and employs 30% of our workforce, is expected by Bank Negara Malaysia to grow by a shocking 1.8%.

This also provides the basis for the fact that the rakyat do not feel any richer despite proclamations by the Government that the economy is doing well, as the rise in income from oil and gas sectors has not filtered down to the masses.

(iii) A Budget based on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT)
The DAP Budget will serve as a distinct departure from the current administration's New Economic Policy (NEP) where racial factors plays the dominant role.

The underlying rationale and approach to our Budget is the “Malaysia Economic & National Unity Strategy” (MENU) which will be based on competence, accountability and transparency (CAT). MENU is a policy to bring about national integration through just and equitable economic policies where the poor, regardless of race, religion or creed are given priority. In Malaysia's context, where the bumiputeras comprises the majority of the poor, particularly those from East Malaysia, they will be the largest beneficiaries of our MENU strategy and its programmes.

At the same time, it is imperative for the Government to build new capacities for the future to ensure that our productivity increase is more than sufficient to replace declining contribution from the oil and gas sector. We will also need to strengthen our social security system to ensure that the poor, less fortunate and under-privileged are not left behind in our pursuit for excellence. The wealth of natural resources on our shores must be shared equitably to make sure that everyone gets to benefit and taste the fruits of our land.

In implementing CAT policies, we must shake off our habit of designing world-class blueprints, only to fail miserably in their implementation. The DAP will put in place a robust system to improve productivity and competitiveness of the government's delivery system.

B. Budget Allocation Overview
Finally, we will utilise responsibly all fiscal measures and tax instruments to ensure that the country does not bury itself in debt and to avoid expenditure on mega-projects which are unlikely to bring significant benefits to the population. Our policies are designed to make ourselves competitive relative to our neighbours as well as to nurture dynamic innovative and entrepreneurial Malaysians.

We are anticipating a small increase in government revenue of approximately 3%, largely driven by oil and gas revenues but limited by a decline in corporate taxes to RM154.5 billion. However, we intend to maintain budget expenditure to RM177 billion as per the Government's budget 2008.

However, the allocations for operational and development expenditure will be restructured toincrease the efficiency and effectiveness of government expenditure. Operational expenditurewill be reduced from RM129 billion to RM120 billion or a 7% reduction. On the other hand,development expenditure will be increased from RM48 billion to RM57 billion or an increase of19%.

Reductions in the government operating expenditure which has ballooned by more than 43% since 2005 will be achieved through strict enforcement via the policy of competency, accountability and transparency. The effects of such policies will create greater expenditure savings over the next few years.

Savings from reductions in operating expenditure will instead be channelled towards development expenditure which will have a greater economic multiplier impact. The major beneficiaries of the increase in development expenditure in the DAP Budget 2009 will be the education, transportation and health sectors.

As a result of financial prudence, increasing the effective utilisation of the Government's revenue, the Government will be able to reduce its budget deficit from its estimated 3.1% in 2008 to 1.4% in 2009, without compromising its ability to pump-prime the economy in a weak global economic environment.

C. Key Policies
1. Protect Oil Revenues
DAP intends to legislating the use of oil and gas revenue to ensure that a substantial portion of the revenue is spent on education as well as research and development to build the necessary economic capacity for Malaysia, to ensure that the increases in productivity and innovation will more than compensate for the expected decline in oil revenues.

It is proposed that a minimum of 30% of oil and gas revenues be invested in human capital and research and development, while another 20% be used to strengthen the social security for Malaysians who are in need.

A further 10% shall be locked and invested in a oil stabilisation fund in the shape of the very successful Norway's “Petroleum Fund” managed to protect the needs of our children and future generations to ensure that the economy will be able to withstand shocks to the system, especially when oil revenues run out within 2-3 decades.

Legislating the utilisation of funds will also prevent the misallocation of resources to bailout failed projects or other non-productive sectors ensuring transparency and accountability.

2. Investing in Education
RM45 billion accounting for 25% of the 2009 Budget will be allocated for education and training. The focus of the expenditure will be to enhance the qualitative elements of education instead of the quantitative elements. Of 100 new schools to be built, 25 and 5 will be Chinese and Tamil schools respectively to resolve the often severe overcrowding faced by many of these schools.

In addition, teachers will be given an average of 20% increase in pay-scale in order to attract some of Malaysia's best young talents to join the teaching force. This measure to arrest the decline, and increase the quality of teachers who are responsible for the education of our young ones. This increase in pay-scale is expected to cost approximately RM200 million for the 330,000 strong primary and secondary school teachers.

3. Creating An Efficient Transportation System
The development expenditure for transportation will be increased by 122% to from RM6.7 billion to RM15 billion to develop an holistic, efficient and convenient public transportation system for all congested urban city centres in Malaysia including the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, Melaka and Penang.

This measure will seek long term solutions towards reliance on private motor vehicles ownership rate in Malaysia, which is among the highest in the world. Besides increasing the productivity of Malaysia's workforce, it will at the same time relieve the burden of the middle and lower income groups in the light of rising inflation as a result of significantly higher petrol prices.

A blueprint for the “Valley Circle” rail network will also be developed to improve inter-suburban connectivity, by-passing the congested Kuala Lumpur city centre.

4. Renegotiating Unfair Contracts
The Barisan Nasional Government's policies of guaranteeing highway toll concessionaires as well as independent power producers (IPPs) extraordinary profits with grossly unequal contracts with little or no risks to the latter are the clearest cases of the Government failing to protect public interest.

The impact of these policies are increasingly felt today with rapidly rising toll rates and energy prices. It is hence imperative that the Government renegotiate these contracts to protect the interest of the public within a 6 month period.

In the event whereby no significant headway is made in the negotiations, it is proposed that the Government move to acquire the assets of these entities. The resultant savings will then be passed on to consumers or be diverted to other public interest projects, such as the public transport system.

5. FairWage & Malaysia Bonus
As part of DAP's philosophy, no person or community in need, irrespective of race or religion will be denied the necessary government assistance. In line with this, the DAP will implement “FairWage”, a policy which serves to improve the livelihood of low wage earners above the age of 35, which will at the same time incentivise employers to provide increased employment opportunities.

The FairWage system represents a total reengineering of our existing social welfare systems, and ensures that the most needy within our society will receive the most assistance from the Government. The following provides a summary of what FairWage entails.

1. To increase that take-home pay, workers will contribute a lower rate to the EPF. For with pay below RM900 per month, employee contribution to the fund will be waived while for those with income of not more than RM1,400 per month, the employee's contribution to EPF shall be reduced from the current 11% to 5%.

2. To make them more employable, employers will reduce their rate of contribution to the EPF. For workers above the age of 35 to 55, earning between RM900 to RM1,400 per month, the employer contribution shall remain at the current 12%. For those earning less than RM900 per month in the same age group, the employer contribution shall decline to 10%.

3. To compensate for the above, the Government will give workers FairWage income supplements to achieve a higher level of income. For workers aged 45 and above, receiving monthly income below RM900 per month, they will receive an annual income supplement of RM2,400. For those workers above the age of 35 earning less than RM1,400 per month will receive RM1,600 per annum. An additional 10% on top of the income supplement shall be applied to those who live in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru as well as on the Penang Island to cope with the higher cost of living.

Of the supplement, a quarter shall be in cash form, while the balance will be channelled into the EPF accounts. By channelling a larger portion into the EPF, it will help the workers save for their future needs.

Separately, a “Malaysia Bonus” of up to RM1,200 will be granted to Malaysians with income not more than RM3,000 per month.

Also, in order to assist the elderly above the age of 60, many who are having problems making ends meet, those qualified will enjoy an the “Senior Malaysian Bonus” of up to RM1,000. These bonuses are channelled into their respective EPF accounts.

The FairWage policy and Malaysian bonus will cost approximately RM9.3 billion to administer. It is part of the proposed programme to share the fruits of the nation's wealth, particular from the oil and gas sector with all Malaysians in need.

In the longer term, more assistance programmes will be carried out in this grant-based mechanisms which are means tested instead of via subsidies which are distortionary in their impact, and often disproportionately benefiting the wealthy.

6. Open, Competitive & Transparent Tenders
It part of our MENU strategy that all Government contracts should be tendered in an open, competitive and transparent manner, in line with our CAT philosophy. All qualified companies shall be provided with equal opportunities to secure Government supply contracts and projects.

To prevent overwhelming disruptions to the current system, this policy which is free from race-based requirements, shall be implemented on a gradual basis, commencing with projects or supply contracts sized above RM10 million for 2009. In view of the challenges brought by globalisation, all tenders shall be made competitive, open and transparent by 2015.

Assuming a conservative 10% savings is achieved via this CAT-based system, this will result in absolute savings in excess of RM5 billion per annum in conjunction with quality improvements on the Government's operational expenditure alone.

7. Open, Competitive & Transparent Auctions
Again in line with DAP's CAT philosophy, besides procurement, all sales of state assets, award of licenses and special rights shall be conducted via open, competitive and transparent auctions. All state land for example, must be alienated and sold under a competitive bidding system to ensure highest returns for the state.

In addition, as a part of our new source of revenue as well as to negate the rent-seeking culture, the approved permits (APs) such as those currently issued for free by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry to a select pool of “businessmen” shall be auctioned to the highest bidders instead.

Based on an estimated 70,000 APs issued per annum and a conservative RM25,000 market price, the auction will provide an additional RM1.75 billion to the government coffers.

8. Seeding Creativity & Innovation
The transformation of the Malaysian economy into one that is knowledge-based will not succeed without the critical ingredient of innovation and entrepreneurship. Therefore it is proposed that the Government set up a new RM250 million seed fund, STARTUP where we will act as a matching co-investment fund with reputable private investors who will assist in the mentorship of the start up companies.

To encourage private investor participation, losses incurred by such investments shall be tax deductible from the investors' individual or corporate income tax. To further boost entrepreneurship, start-ups shall enjoy full tax exemption on their first RM200,000 chargeable income for each of their first 3 years of assessment.

9. Revitalising Malaysian SMEs
Small medium enterprises constitutes approximately 99% of all enterprises in the country. However, their proportionate importance in terms of tax contributions to the Government has clearly declined with the increased dependence on oil and gas revenue.

With substantial increases in the cost of raw materials as well as steep increases in the price of fuel and electricity, many Malaysian SMEs are facing difficulties in maintaining competitiveness.

To revitalise the SME sector, and to assist many SMEs whose counterparts in many countries in the region enjoy significant tax advantages, it is proposed that the tax rate for SMEs on their first RM500,000 chargeable income be reduced to 18% from the current 20%.

In addition, a new partial tax exemption threshold will be set at RM200,000 and taxed at 12%. This means that a SME with a chargeable income of RM900,000 will be taxed at an effective rate of 18%, in line, particularly with its competitors across the causeway in Singapore. This measure will help make Malaysian SMEs to be more competitive and at the same time attract more SMEs to set up business in Malaysia, creating more employment opportunities.

10. Restructuring Personal Income Taxes
DAP is proposing a 1% reduction of the top tax bracket to 27%. More importantly however, there will be a revision and a simplification of the progressive tax brackets which will result in significant reduction in taxes by all.

Most importantly, to assist Malaysians to cope with the rise in living expenses, particularly in urban areas, the first RM15,000 chargeable income will become tax exempt, with the subsequent RM15,000 taxed at 7%. Currently, only the first RM2,500 is tax exempt while the next RM2,500 is taxed at 1%.

Based on the new tax structure, a married worker with RM3,000 pay per month, a full-time housewife who looks after 2 young children will pay no taxes, whereas under the previous tax structure, he will be expected to pay between RM55 to RM445 depending on his insurance premiums and medical expenses for his family, including parents.

11. Introducing Green Taxes
The rate of global climate changes is accelerating and it has become absolutely necessary for Malaysia to play its part in protecting the environment. Hence, a “Green Tax” is to be implemented in 2010 whereby a “carbon tax” is charged at RM25 per tonne of CO2 equivalent, with the exception of methane emissions from the agricultural sector as well as special exemptions for carbon intensive businesses which adopts global best practices on emissions.

In addition, a 5% severance tax shall be imposed on the extraction of metals and forestry products in the country. However, companies which secure certification from The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited certification bodies will be granted the severance tax exemption for promoting responsible management of the forest.

12. Increasing Women Workforce Participation
Women will also benefit significantly with the proposed extension of paid maternity leave from 60 to 90 days if they have worked for at least 180 days prior to delivery with the employer. Their pay for the 3rd month will be shared equally by both the employer as well as the government.

This together with other complementary measures such as increasing childcare facilities in the workplace will play their role in strengthening the bond between the mother and child, promoting strong family values, while at the same time, encourage more women to join the workforce. As at 2004, Malaysian women participation in the work force stands at 47.3%, significantly below that of our neighbours, Singapore and Thailand at 53.9% and 64.2% respectively.

13. Reviving the Information Communications & Technology (ICT) Sector
When the Government launched the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project 10 years ago, it promised to make every effort to grow and support local MSC status companies. However, despite the rhetoric, the Government being the largest consumer of information technology services in Malaysia has not given preference to these companies.

It is therefore important that in this proposed budget, Malaysian MSC status companies be given specific preference in tendering for the Government IT-related contracts to help nurture these companies into successful regional players.

14. Participation of Civil Society
Finally, this budget represents a budget which seeks active involvement from the civil society. Instead of attempting to tackle all issues on its own, which the government wilnot be able to competently and effectively, sizeable grants will be made available to specialist non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to promote, educate and run various social causes and programmes.

RM240 million has been set aside as partial or full grants for NGOs to pursue environmental causes, eliminating poverty, promote healthy living, managing women issues or assisting the disabled, to be disbursed over the next 5 years.

民主行动党2009年预算案简述

民主行动党2009年预算案简述
A. 前言
民主行动党2009年马来西亚人预算案简介的两项重点是:全球经济放缓,以及我们对石油及天然气的高度依赖。

(i) 全球经济预计放缓
国际货币基金组织(IMF)已经宣布全球经济成长有25%的机率在2008年将跌至3%,等于说全球经济衰退。国际货币基金组织说,全球过去几年的经济增长已经由于美国次房贷危机所引发的金融危机而迅速减缓。
这场始于2007年的次房贷危机,是由于贷款者将贷款发放给高风险借贷人,以致他们在贷款利率上升时,无法偿还贷款。据估计,这场危机可能导致美国损失了9450亿美元。
结果,美国的房屋价格迅速地下跌,为该国的金融体系带来极大的压力。
华仁普菲特,是全世界公认的最富有的人,他说,美国经济还在衰退着,在2009年之前都不会复苏。四分之三的美国首席财务主管也不乐观,他们预料2008年将会衰退,近乎90%说经济不会在2009年回转。
因此,马来西亚的经济无可避免地将受到全球经济危机的影响。这项2009年马来西亚人预算案的宗旨在于如何减缓全球经济放缓的冲击,同时,减少它对中低层收入的人民所带来的影响。

(ii) 高度依赖石油和天然气资源
根据国油最新的数据显示,马来西亚政府比从前更加依赖石油及天然气的收入,2008年,石油和天然气的收入预计是政府税收的40%,比去年的37%还高。
这个趋势令人担心,因为我国的石油库存只能维持多20年,而马来西亚将在2011年成为石油净入口国。
将我国对石油与天然气的依赖,来与经济领域的贡献相比,意味着我国的经济活动并没有显著增长。国家银行惊人的发现,为我国经济带来30%收入、雇用我国30%人力资源的制造业,竟然只成长了1.8%。这也为印证了一项事实,那就是尽管政府不断地宣称经济良好,但是人民还是感受不到,因为来自石油及天然气的利盈并没有让广大群众受惠。

(iii) 以能干、公信及透明(CAT)为基础的预算
这份预算案亦跟目前政府所强调、以种族为主导的新经济政策绝对不同。本预算案所阐述的理念及采用的策略,乃以能干、公信及透明(CAT)为基础,并称之为“马来西亚经济及国民团结策略”(MENU)。 该策略旨通过公正、平等的经济政策,那就是不分种族、宗教或信仰地优先扶助穷人,带来国民团结。在马来西亚,土著占了贫穷阶级的绝大多数,特别是东马的土著,将会是这项策略及计划的最大受益群体。
因此,为了未来发展需要,政府必需开创本身的新能力,以确保一旦石油与天然气税收减少后,我们还可提高本身的生产能力,而不仅止于足够应付需求。与此同时,我们也将加强本身的社会安全制度,以确保贫穷者、不幸者及地位不高的一群,不会在我们追求卓越的过程中被抛落人后。我们必须让全民公平分享这个国家通过天然资源所赚取的财富,以确保每个人皆能受惠并尝到果实。
在推行能干、公信及透明(CAT)的政策方面,我们也必须摒弃“光有世界一流概念,执行能力严重不足”的恶习。民主行动党将设立强而有力的机制,以提高公共交付系统的生产力及竞争力。

B. 预算案拨款概述
最后,我们将以负责任的态度善用所有财务措施及税务机制,以确保我国不会面对债务问题,同时尽量避免耗费不会带给国民太大利益的大型工程。我们的政策设计是要确保我们比邻国更具有竞争力,同时培育具有创新思维及企业精神的马来西亚人。
我们预算政府的税收将会增加3%,这些收入大部份来自石油天然气,但是企业税收则会减少至1545亿令吉。不过,我们还是会像2008年预算那样,维持预算开销在1770亿令吉。
不过,我们将重组行政开销及发展开销,以提高政府开销的效力与效率。我们将把行政开销削减7%,从1290亿令吉减至1200亿令吉。另一方面,发展开销则会增加19%,从480亿令吉,增加到570亿令吉。
政府行政开销自2005年增加了43%,我们将通过严格执行能干、公信及透明的政策,削减行政开销。从中节省下来的钱将作为未来几年的开销诸备。从行政开销节省下来的储蓄,将转移到发展开销,以创造更高的经济效应。行动党2009年财政预算案的发展开销主要将支出给教育、交通及卫生三大领域。
通过开源节流,这将有效增加政府税收的运用能力,政府也将有能力将财政赤字从2008年3.1%减至2009年1.4%。在全球经济衰退的环境中,继续扮演其推动经济的角色。

C. 主要政策
保护石油税收
行动党拟立法规定石油及天然气收入的使用以确保足够的份额被花费在教育、研究及发展上,以加强马来西亚的经济基础,并确保生产力及创新力能够赶上石油税收日益减少的趋势。
行动党建议至少将30%的石油天然气税收入投资在人文资本、研究及发展,另外的20%则用在马来西亚需要帮助的一群,加强社会保障。 另外的10%将会被储蓄及投资在石油稳定基金,将挪威那样设立一个“石油基金”,以保障我们的孩子及新一代的需要,确保经济能够经得起制度改变的冲击,特别是未来20-30年内,石油的税收将用尽。
立法规定上述收入的用途,可避免有关款项被滥用来拯救面临失败的发展计划,或推动其它没有生产力领域的发展。

2. 教育投资
我们将拨出450亿令吉作为教育及培训用途。这笔拨款占2009年财政预算案开销的25%比率。这笔费用将用来提升教育的质量,而不只是注重数量的提升。我们将兴建100所新学校,其中包括25所华小及5所淡小,以解决这些学校面对校舍拥挤的问题。
此外,我们也将为教师加薪20%,以吸引更多的青年才俊加入执教队伍。这项措施是为了应付师资不足的问题,同时也提升肩负教育我国未来主人翁的教师的素质。这项加薪预计会耗资2亿令吉,并让33万名中小学教师从中受益。

3. 创造高效率的公共交通系统
公共交通系统的发展开销将会增加122%,从67亿令吉增加至150亿令吉,在全马各个拥挤的城市包括巴生谷、新山及槟城发展一套全方位、有效率及便捷的公共交通系统。这项措施长远来说,可以减少马来西亚人对私家车的依赖,我国的私家车拥有率是全世界最高的。除了提高马来西亚劳工的生产力,同时,也能减轻中低层收放入者在汽油上涨后导致的通货膨胀所面对的负担。我们将推出一个称为“谷中圈”(Valley Circle)的铁路网发展蓝图,以提升各城郊的公共交通衔接度,从而避开高度阻塞的吉隆坡市中心。

4. 重新谈判不平等合约
国阵政府保障收费大道公司及独立发电厂获取非一般盈利的政策,包括跟这些大道公司及独立发电厂签署完全不平等,而且对方只需承担超低甚至完全没有风险的合约,足以证明政府没有办法保障公众的利益。
随着大道收费及能源价格不断调高,让人民如今更深刻感受到这些政策所构成的负面影响。因此,政府有必要在未来6个月内,重新针对这些合约展开谈判,以保障公众的利益。
若这些谈判过程无法取得成效,我们建议政府收购实体所拥有的资产。通过这些方式所节约的开销,将可让消费人获益匪浅,或是转为推动其他涉及公众利益的工程,例如公共交通系统。
5. 公平工资及马来西亚人花红
作为行动党所坚守的施政哲学之一,任何有需要的个人或群体,不管属于什么种族或宗教,都可接收到政府的协助。有鉴于此,民主行动党将推行“公平工资”政策,以下为“公平工资”的简介:
1. 增加员工的净所得,员工将缴纳较低的公积金。收入每月低入900 令吉者,雇员可豁免缴纳公积金而那些每月收入不超过1 400 令吉者,雇员的公积金缴交率将从目前的11%减少至5%。
为了使雇员具备可雇用条件,雇主将减少他们的公积金缴交率。至于35 至55岁的雇员,若每月收入介于900 令吉至1 千400 令吉,雇主缴交率将1. 雇主缴交率将保留在现有的12%,而那些每月收入少于900 令吉者,雇主缴交率将减少至10%。

2. 为了进行补偿,政府将提供公平工资收入辅助金以取得更高的收入。对于45 岁及以上的员工,若他们每月收入低于900 令吉,他们将获得每年2400 令吉的辅助金。对于35 岁以上、每月收入低于1 400 令吉,每年可获1 600 令吉辅助金。为了协助居住在巴生谷、新山以及槟岛的居民应付高生活水平,他们将获得辅助金的10 %的额外辅助。
这些辅助金的四分之一将以现金支付,剩余的款额将转存入公积金户口。将更大份额的款项转入公积金,能协助工人为他们的未来存款。
通过“马来西亚人花红”计划,我们将为每月收入不超过3千令吉者,提供高达1200令吉的花红。为了协助60岁以上、日常生活面对问题的乐龄人士,我们将发出高达1000令吉的“马来西亚乐龄花红”予所有符合资格者。这些花红将直接汇入他们各别的公积金户头。
我们预计要耗费93亿令吉来推行“公平工资”政策及“马来西亚人花红”。这是我们要让全体有需要者分享国家财富,尤其是石油与天然气资源的其中一部分计划。长期而言,我们将通过可行并以拨款为主的机制设立更多援助计划,而非通过提供补贴歪曲其真正的用意,甚至导致富裕者最终受惠。
6. 公开、具竞争力及透明的方式招标
马来西亚经济与国民团结策略其中一大支柱,就是要求所有的政府合约以公开、具竞争力和透明的方式招标,符合我们的能干、公信及透明(CAT)原则。所有符合资格的公司,应享有竞标政府供应合约及工程的均等机会。
为了避免对现有制度构成严重影响,这个非以种族为导向的政策,必须以循序渐进的方式去落实,即从2008年开始规定所有规模超过1000万令吉的工程或供应合约必须公开招标。鉴于全球化所带来的挑战,所有政府工程必须在2015年以具竞争力、公开与透明的方式去落实。
若以政府采用新的招标制度能够节约10%开销作保守估计,这相等于我们每年可节省超过50亿令吉的开销,同时带来素质提升。
7. 开放、竞争以及透明投标配合民主行动党推行的能干、公信及透明(CAT)信念,所有订购程序、州政府产业买卖、执照的批准以及特许权利应该透过公开,具竞争力以及透明的招标进行。比方说就所有州政府的土地而言,在转让与脱售的过程中,必须是在符合竞争标准的制度下进行,以确保州政府获取高额回酬。
作为政府新增的部分收入并减少寻租文化,国际贸易及工业部目前颁给一小撮特定“商人”的汽车入口准证(AP),今后应该通过拍卖方式颁给出价最高者。
若以政府每年预计发出 7 万张汽车入口准证,以及每张准证市价保守估计为2 万5千令吉计算,这类拍卖活动每年可为政府财库带来高达 17亿5千万令吉的收入。
8. 培植创意与创新精神
若没有创意能力及企业精神,马来西亚要转型为知识经济体根本不会成功。因此,我们提议政府设立2亿5千万令吉的种子基金――STARTUP(启动基金),以便作为我们跟信誉良好的私人投资者合作设立投资基金,进而为新创立的公司提供咨询服务。
为了鼓励私人界参与,这类投资所蒙受的损失,将从投资者的个人所得税或公司所得税扣除。为了促进企业成长,新公司在首3个估税年,其首20万令吉的可征税收入可享有全面免税。
9. 重塑马来西亚中小型企业
在全国注册公司当中,有99%为中小型企业。然而中小型企业的重要性却随 着过度依赖石油和天然气收入而遽减。
随着原料价格的总体上升,以及原料与电费的价格飙升,许多马来西亚中小型企业面临了失去竞争优势的困境。
若要重振中小型企业领域,同时协助我国的中小型企业跟全球相竞争,我们建议中小型企业首50 万令吉可征税收入所缴纳的公司所得税应从现有的20%调低至 18 %。
除此之外,我们建议从新的税务年开始,在 20 万令吉的水平上制订另一个豁免税务的新门槛,即首 20 万令吉可征税收入只缴纳 12 %的公司所得税。这意味着可征税收入高达 90 万令吉的中小型企业,所需缴纳的有效所得税为 18%。这种情况跟长堤对岸的新加坡竞争者所要缴纳的税率一样。这个措施能够助使马来西亚的中小型企业更具竞争力,同时吸引更多商家到马来西亚设立中小型企业,进而创造更多的就业机会。
10. 重组个人所得税
民主行动党提议最高征税率减少1%,即减至27%。然而,更重要的是,我们将检讨及简化累进税收等级,以达到显著的减税效果。
最重要的是,为了协助马来西亚人应付日渐提高的生活水平,特别是城市地区的生活水平,首1万5千令吉可征税收入将获得免税,而紧接下来的1万5千令吉则征收7%所得税。目前,只有首2千500令吉收入可获得免税,而紧接下来的2千500令吉则征税1%。
11. 根据新的税务架构,一名每月收入、育有两个孩子、妻子为全职家庭主妇及月入3千令吉的打工一族根本不必缴税。若根据原有的所得税制度,他预计需要缴付介于55至445令吉的所得税。(胥视其缴付的保险费,以及支付家人包括父母亲的医药费而定)

12. 推介绿色税务
由于全球气温急剧上升,马来西亚绝对有必要履行环保的责任。因此,我们将从2010年开始征收“绿色税务”,同时对二氧化碳相关产品征收每公吨25令吉的“碳税”。然而,农业领域所排出的甲烷,以及碳气密集行业若采用世界最佳的排放标准,则可享有特别免税的优惠。
除此以外,我们将针对国内的金属与森林产品征用5%的开采税。不过,获得森林管理委员会 (FSC) 所认可的公司,将可豁免缴纳开采税,从而推广负责任的森林管理作业。
12. 增加女性劳动力量的参与
女性也将从替代预算案中受惠,民主行动党建议只要在临产前为雇主工作至少180天,妇女可享有从60天增至90天的产假。至于她们第3个月产假的薪金则由政府与雇主共同支付。
若加上这份财政预算案所提议的其它措施,肯定有助于加强母亲与孩子的关系、强化家庭价值观,同时鼓励更多女性投身职场。
截至2004年,国内的工作女性比率占47.3%,即比新加坡与泰国各为53.9%与64.2%的比率还要低。


13.激活资讯与通讯科技领域

当政府在10年前推介多媒体超级走廊计划时,政府承诺将竭尽所能栽培及扶持国内的多媒体超级走廊地位公司。然而,这些承诺终究空洞无物。反观政府作为国内资讯工艺服务的最大消费者,显然没有特别惠及国内的公司。
这份预算案所提的另一个重点,就是让多媒体超级走廊地位公司享有特别待遇,能够竞标政府跟资讯工艺相关的合约,进而协助栽培这些公司成为本区域的佼佼者。
14. 增加公民社会的参与
最后,这份文献乃代表让公民社会积极参与的财政预算案。与其独自尝试解决所有的问题,而政府又没有能力且不能有效处理这些问题,因此政府应提供可观的拨款予特定非政府组织,共同协助推广、教育与推行各种有益社会的活动和计划。
我们建议拨出2400万令吉,作为未来5年逐步发放、部分或悉数给予非政府组织的拨款,以协助解决环境问题、消除贫穷、鼓吹健康生活、处理妇女议题或是协助残缺人士。