WHEELCHAIR-BOUND Josh John had been receiving cash aid from the government until last year, when Putrajaya cut off this lifeline when he started earning a little more money.

Josh, who is paralysed from the chest down, is an example of how some households fall through the cracks of the country’s social safety net because they are not classified as a “bottom 40%” (B40) earner.

Although Pakatan Harapan claims Budget 2020 is also geared towards the “middle 40% of households”, Josh and other middle-class families said they feel left out.

M40 families, who earn more than RM4,000 per month, do not qualify for the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) aid scheme and have to pay income tax.

But other M40 households also told The Malaysian Insight they welcomed initiatives, such as #WanitaKerja to encourage mothers to re-enter the workforce and the aim to reduce tolls in the Klang Valley.

They also gave the thumbs-up for incentives to help small and medium entrepreneurs, as well as free pneumococcal vaccinations that will help families with young children.

All of those interviewed by The Malaysian Insight supported Budget 2020’s focus on helping lower-income households, especially those in rural areas, in agriculture and in Sabah and Sarawak.

But like wheelchair-bound Josh, they felt that Putrajaya could have done more and considered other factors apart from income when deciding who to help.

They also felt that PH could have put in more effort to bring down the cost of living, which was its No. 1 promise in the 14th general election.

“Nothing much to shout about for me personally, and for Sarawak as a whole, in this budget,” said Josh, 56.

“I’m a disabled, yet I am not entitled to the BSH scheme. They cut me and my wife off last year after I filed some extra income I had earned,” said the former accountant who lives in Kuching.

“They encouraged me to earn some income on my own instead of being too dependent on the Socso pension. They want to give, give, lah. They don’t want to give, what to do?”

Free vaccines, re-employment incentives 

Among Budget 2020’s most eye-catching proposals are a plan for a government takeover of all highways under PLUS Malaysia Bhd, which could bring down tolls on the North-South Highway (NSE) by 18%.

Putrajaya will also buy over four major Klang Valley highways and replace their toll charges with congestion fees, with discounts for off-peak travel.

It also has four programmes, two of which – #GraduanKerja and #WanitaKerja – to help reduce youth unemployment and increase women’s participation in the labour force.

Petrol subsidies through Kad95 will also help those who own cars with an engine capacity of below 1,600 CC reduce their petrol bill once the price of RON95 is gradually floated next year.

Rommel Osman of Kota Kinabalu is looking forward to #WanitaKerja for his wife and the free vaccines for his children.

“My wife will get an incentive if she goes back to work after giving birth to our youngest daughter. I think around RM500 deposited via her EPF account. She trained as a nurse,” said 38-year-old entrepreneur.  

“It’s a good plan for the government to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign workers, bring down joblessness and increase women’s participation in the workforce. 

“I will benefit, too, if I start digitising my business. It’s a fair budget. Sabah gets RM5.2 billion. Only an increase of RM200 million from the previous (budget).”

Sabahan Parino Chia also gave the thumbs-up for extra allocation to the state.

“For the first time, the PH government truly recognises the state’s rights and has increased the special allowance for the state to RM53.4 million after the previous government gave a fixed amount of RM26.7 million,” said the mother of three.

“Another good one is the vaccination for the children. I have three children and my company does not provide vaccinations for them.” 

Klang resident Abdul Ghafar Abdul Jalil’s eldest son has problems getting a job after graduating from university and he hopes that #GraduanKerja will help.

“He’s moved from job to job because his employers won’t renew his contract. So, I hope the government’s initiatives to create jobs will help,” said the 58-year-old father of four.

“I think it’s a good budget because it has help for B40 and also allowances for Kafa teachers, who are usually paid low salaries. It will help reduce the burden of high prices,” said Ghafar, referring to the religious teachers at schools.

Teacher Nurani from Penang, however, wished that Putrajaya would review civil servant salaries rather than just giving special allowances.

“We appreciate the RM500 (special allowance) but, in reality, civil servants need a pay rise to keep up with living costs,” said the secondary school teacher who only gave her first name.

“The budget really helps the B40 group, but M40 people like me feel a bit left out. We pay taxes but don’t really see the benefits.

“Even with the toll reductions. Only those who use those roads will feel the savings.” – October 13, 2019.