MY new norm is not to listen to the budget speech because for the first time, the finance minister (FM) is not a politician and the prime minister, a Tan Sri. The promise was that all the good wishes would be heard. Even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was quoted and the government would strike a balance between financial sustainability and reducing the the urban and rural development gap.

In the background is a contraction in global economy by 4.4% and global trade by 10.4% in 2020.

Now the reality.

As a corporate person, I expected the FM to apply cost-benefit-analysis (CBA), but in running a country, we also need to find balance between importance and urgency. Sadly, there were political proposals that were justified as measures to reduce the gap between urban and rural development.

Development is in every budget speech but after over 60 years, 42% of EPF contributors have around RM5,000 or less in their Account 1.

Education is fundamental to development and growth because growth, development and poverty reduction depend on the knowledge and skills that people acquire. However, while development expenditure (DE) increased to RM69 billion, the Education Ministry will receive about the same as it did in the 2020 Budget. Instead, the Prime Minister’s Department gets close to a 50% increase to around RM12 billion.

We have heard many stories about the state government hospitals but the Health Ministry will only get a small increase. Example, patients are inconvenienced having to make repeated trips and this does not help during the pandemic.

Others like the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs, there’s a negligible difference.

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry enjoys a 22.6% increase. Even the minister was “shocked” by the RM85.5 million allocated to the Special Affairs Department (Jasa). Compare this to the RM20mil provided to the Malaysia Techlympics and Science Space programmes to create expertise in the field of AI and robotics among youths.

A new ministry, Environment and Water, gets RM3.47bil. Not too sure about its functions since there is no proper website erected as yet. What is available is the portal for the Department of Environment and nothing on water. Incidentally, while drafting this, I was reminded that there will be another water supply cut affecting more than a million account holders.

How do we intend to achieve the top three goals, viz welfare of the people, business continuity and economic resilience if there were eight water supply cuts this year to millions of users in the Klang Valley?

Allowances for ministers, deputies and top civil servants must be reduced since there are fewer face-to-face meetings, opening ceremonies, entertainments and travelling.

GLC can fulfil its corporate social responsibility (CSR) through the concept of matching grants but be aware of “grantpreneurs” – people who are specialised in applying for grants and misusing them. Do have a centralised database to identify them. Meantime, perks of senior management in GLCs need a review.

Billions spent to “empower Bumiputera” to reduce racial disparity but what is the success rate? Will we use this justification for the next 10 years? Yes, there are some successes but they were mostly related to politicians.

Most of these allocations will surely make their way to non-Bumiputeras through commerce and trade but there are also poor non-Bumiputeras. True, the latter has guilds and business associations to assist but Bumiputeras too have associations, zakat and wakaf (endowment).

Meantime, JAKIM gets increased allocation. It is necessary to increase allowances during this period but have we taught the recipients to “fish” and be self-reliant?

In 2018, more than 80% (40,269) of divorces were Muslims. Between 2005 and 2015, there were 532,158 cases of children born out of wedlock, many of whom were Muslims. It seems that 80% of Muslims do not perform the five daily prayers despite so many beautiful mosques and suraus. It all indirectly reflects on JAKIM’s effectiveness. Even the Sultan of Johor decreed that it will no longer advise the Johor Islamic Religious Department.

JAKIM needs to revisit its vision and mission statement and start to nurture ustaz and ustazah that will help children to balance life in this world and the Hereafter.

In this uncertain economic and employment scenario, it appears like we are helping first-time house buyers through full stamp duty exemption. But it is more to rescue developers. People who can afford to buy a house now have money. While the government is losing revenue, developers reduce their stocks – but not at a discounted price, and buyers may face retrenchment.

Government should promote more rent-to-own schemes.

EPF members are allowed to withdraw funds to purchase insurance and takaful products. It looks good for coverage but if one is retrenched and unable to pay premiums, all will be lost. Further, claim procedures are cumbersome. An policy that looks today may not be so in 30 years’ time. Insurance companies need to do some CSR in this area.

We can employ additional 10,000 MACC officers to combat corruption but corruption has to stop at the upper echelons and within political parties.

If the government wants to embrace the conscience of the people because the trust of the people is priceless, actions are needed on the above.

What say you… – November 11, 2020.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.