THE rather well-received Budget 2020 came as a welcome respite from the litany of bad news to befall Pakatan Harapan the past six months or so.

Quite balanced, considerate and with something for most Malaysians, the fiscal plan also took pains to assuage Malay-Muslim concerns that Putrajaya was neglecting its traditional role of developing Bumiputeras.

Large allocations were set aside for various Malay-Muslim interests, such as  increased emoluments for Kafa teachers and cost of living allowance for civil servants (who are predominantly Malay-Muslim). The sum set aside for religious development too, did not see any real reduction.

The needs of other Malaysians were not neglected either. The RM30 to be deposited in the e-wallets for those earning less than RM100,000 a year, would give a fast-growing area of fintech a boost. Though the sum probably won’t do much for the financial stability of individuals, it will help grow a very competitive market, where market and user base size help firms decide on their base of operations, possibly giving us a much needed advantage as Asean countries all race to dominate or host this service, in the quest to be the next Grab.

The budget also saw some long-delayed problems being addressed – such as the RM1.6 billion allocated to Klang’s Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital.

Small but meaningful policy changes, like increasing personal income tax for those earning more than RM2 million, increasing the amount in tax breaks for medical purposes, and the inclusion fertility treatments, are good ideas that should hav been introduced years ago, but for reasons best known to the then government, were not.

The same can be said about Increasing maternity leave. And abolishing streaming students in upper secondary education to allow then to pick subjects that interest them is more progressive, inclusive, and logical. Students should not be made to choose between science and art, as both aren’t mutually exclusive. The close to RM6 billion allocated for technical and vocational education and training  would hopefully bridge the gap between academic, skilled and semi-skilled.

An 18% reduction in tolls may not be exactly what voters wanted, but it would go some way in assuring them that the government is trying to rid highways of charges.

For energy, all the right boxes seem to have been ticked – removing the subsidy for petrol in stages, doing away with the current mechanism for bulk power purchase, liberalising the market, and encouraging green players.

But, perhaps, the most exciting is the RM6.5 billion allocated to the Malaysians@Work programme to stimulate job creation. Even if it is successful in reaching only half of its target of creating 350,000 jobs, it would finally set Malaysia’s economy back on an energised track, instead of the rent-seeking and leasing out mindset that has coloured our policies over the past decade.

While some emphasis was given, especially with regards to taxation, on the digital economy, much more can be done to grow this emerging segment, along with its companion – the gig economy. Both are expected to grow on the back of faster and cheaper and improved internet infrastructure.

With one exploding onto the scene and quickly replacing traditional brick (or for that matter, click) and mortar shops, the other is transitional and should not be encouraged as it lacks security. However, given their proximity and correlation, perhaps encouraging people to enter the gig economy as a means to gain experience and funds to progress into business. could be an effective short-term measure to raise income levels, especially among unemployed graduates, while waiting for the Malaysians@Work programme to really take root. – October 16, 2019.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.