PAKATAN Harapan’s inaugural budget is urban-centric and leaves out vital groups such as rural Malaysians, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

“This budget promotes a free market, is targeted at the rich, aims to privatise everything and forgets rural Malaysians. There’s no context in terms of helping the poor and rural folk,” said the Rembau MP when debating Budget 2019 in Parliament today.

He said the budget is a product of unfulfilled election manifesto promises, and fails to address rural folk’s concerns.

“I understand that most PH voters live in Kuala Lumpur, but this is a budget for the country, not for Kuala Lumpur only. So please, don’t punish those who live outside the city.

“As such, I reject the budget,” said the former Umno Youth chief at the end of the hour-long debate.

He cited as examples the lack of announcements on aid for fishermen, rubber tappers and smallholders during the monsoon season and drought, training programmes for these groups, as well as policies for Felda settlers.

The three-term lawmaker said Budget 2019 is a “copy-paste, rebranding and continuation” of Barisan Nasional’s policies.

He gave as examples PH taking credit for “improved ease of doing business” achievements (up to 15th spot from 24), the 1Malaysia People’s Aid, which has been renamed as Cost of Living Aid, subsidies for basic necessities, the Apprenticeship and Graduate Enhancement for Employability Programme, as well as the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme.

“There are also cuts – RM10 million and RM100 million – in the food programmes for preschool and boarding school students. Scholarships have also been cut for Mara at 20%, Public Service Department (33%) and Education Ministry (26%).”

Taking a jibe at Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, Khairy said it does not make sense for Maszlee to want to continue as International Islamic University Malaysia president when he was not even aware that the ministry had started a food programme for students in 1979.

“Instead of doing unnecessary studies on Japan’s free breakfast scheme, he should just recommend reviving the old one to the prime minister and finance minister.”

Khairy also poked fun at PH’s promise that borrowers need only repay their National Higher Education Fund Corporation debts when their salary hits RM4,000.

“Other than being a broken promise, the government wants to begin deductions at RM1,000, which is lower than next year’s minimum wage (RM1,100).”

Khairy, who was given the mandate by opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is the first opposition MP to debate Budget 2019. – November 12, 2018.