PUTRAJAYA must address people-centric problems that have yet to be tackled since the current administration took up the reins of government, said Lim Guan Eng.

The DAP secretary-general said people are tired of the “political stability” touted by Barisan Nasional (BN), and highlighted six main issues that need to be dealt with.

“First, inflation and the rising prices of food, commodities, materials and business costs, which will only be exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has seen oil prices rising to more than US$115 (RM480) per barrel.

“To check the rising prices, DAP proposes a Price Stabilisation Fund with an initial seed fund of RM3 billion derived from the prosperity tax or windfall tax introduced this year.

“Unfortunately, neither BN nor Perikatan Nasional has responded to this suggestion.”

Second, Lim said, the government should abolish the tax imposed on companies bringing back money from profits earned in other countries.

It is only a matter of time before a similar tax is imposed on individuals bringing back pay from Singapore, he added.

“There cannot be one country, two systems, whereby tax is imposed on companies but not individuals. Voters are worried that Malaysian workers in Singapore will be taxed when bringing back income after the 15th general election.”

The Bagan MP also urged the government to allow Employees Provident Fund withdrawals, saying that many people still cannot make ends meet.

Putrajaya should allow a RM5,000 withdrawal if it does not allow a RM10,000 withdrawal, he added.

Fourth, Lim said, the government should postpone the electricity tariff hike for commercial users.

“Postpone the electricity tariff increase by up to 20% for 1.6 million business and industrial users from February to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recession.”

Fifth, he said the government should immediately reopen borders, especially with Singapore.

This will allow for a faster economic recovery to save both lives and livelihoods as many businesses in Johor are dependent on Singapore, he added.

Finally, he said the government should withdraw the proposed amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, which will be passed in Parliament after polling day on March 12.

“This is to prevent the increase in compounds from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for individuals and to RM1 million for companies.

“Upon conviction, the compounds will be increased to RM100,000 for individuals and RM2 million for companies.”

Lim said the government should take full responsibility for its failure to manage the pandemic, and not pin the blame on the people by increasing penalties. – March 6, 2022.