THE response from the B40 group to Budget 2023 unveiled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday has been mixed.

They said that while there are certain goodies for the people, they were hoping to see more improvements to tackle the rising cost of living, adding that subsidies will greatly assist them, but only in the short term.

Yusof Mohd Ali, 42, a freelance photographer from Kuala Terengganu doesn’t feel that there is anything new.

“I don’t know whether to say it’s good because it feels like there is nothing new.

“We were getting the Rahmah Aid before, for example, but it’s just a different name now,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

However, he said that the budget has some benefits if the government continues to provide aid for the B40 group.

“As long as this cash aid is not withdrawn or reduced, it seems that the budget this time is OK because this cash really helps a family like mine.”

Anwar today announced RM2.5 billion welfare aid, targeting more than 400,000 recipients.

B40 households with income of less than RM2,500 a month are eligible for Rahmah Aid up to RM2,500, depending on the number of children.

Meanwhile, food baskets and vouchers for staple food items worth RM600 will be extended to Rahmah recipients registered under the e-Kasih system.

There is also the Rahmah Sale to offer basic goods at a 30% discount nationwide. The programme will cost RM100 million.

“There is also RM225 million to expand the distribution of basic necessities to 25 new areas.

“RM64 billion in subsidies, aid, services and incentives for the people to cope with inflation,” the prime minister said.

Anwar also said that the income tax will be reduced by 2% for people earning between RM35,000 and RM100,000 a year.

Yusof said the government should put in more effort to deal with the increase in the price of goods.

“The high cost of goods is putting pressure on the B40 group. As far as Rahmah sales go, I think there used to be the same kind of Malaysian family sales, so again there is nothing new,” he said.

Welcome tax deduction

Grab driver Arif Asyraf, 40, from Kuala Lumpur said that while the incentive for e-hailing drivers is good, he wanted to know how the government would get the money to them.

“How is this fund going to be disbursed? We need more details and the mechanism for it.”

Arif criticised the RM500 EPF contribution from the government as too little in this current economic climate.

“RM1,000 would be justifiable as we are still struggling.”

However, Arif applauded the government’s move in giving the 2% reduction on income tax.

Retail worker Hikmie Hakim, 25, from Kuala Lumpur was grateful for the Rahmah aid.

The father-of-three said the cash would certainly help his family, especially as he is the sole breadwinner.

“As a young father, my burden is heavy. My wife cannot work at the moment because our youngest child is still a baby.

“It will at least take her another year plus to get a job, while my eldest is going to start school, so there will be a lot of money spent.

“Thankfully, the government has come up with a scheme to help us and not just cash.

“There are also other incentives such as for young entrepreneurs to start up their business. God willing, I’ll try my luck this year,” he said.

Housewife from Port Dickson, M. Shamundeswari, 40, said as a wife of a civil servant she is happy with the announcement of RM700 bonus and the nursery subsidy for public sector workers.

“We will benefit from it but we were hoping for another EPF withdrawal.

“I have some EPF savings from my past job and was hoping to withdraw it to clear my debts.

“I just hope this budget will really work out because a lot was announced and we hope it will be implemented for people like us.”

Travel subsidies

Singa Buas, 51, a driver from Lawas in Sarawak, who has two daughters said the budget was effective and efficient.

“As a driver who frequently crosses the Sarawak-Kalimantan border to make deliveries of goods and people, the proposal to build a township in Ba Kelalan ahead of Indonesia transferring its capital to Nusantara in Kalimantan is something to which we can look forward.

“The timing is just right. Building the township will create jobs and business opportunities for the local communities.”

He also said it is a complete budget, targeting all segments of society in all parts of the country, from the urban to the rural areas.

“It looks like the objective of this budget is to develop the whole country and in which everyone benefits.

“There are a lot of proposals to further develop the rural area around me and the funding for education, like repairing dilapidated schools in Sarawak, is most heartening to know.”

He also applauded the subsidies for rural air travel; building more rural clinics, banks and rural courthouses; and the commitment to complete the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR), adding that rural communities will welcome them.

“We hope they are all realised. I can’t find anything missing or anyone left out in this budget.”

Civil servant Jerry Alfred Ringkas, 35 from Sarawak said the budget looks good as there are lots or proposals to help him alleviate his cost-of-living issues, especially reducing income tax by 2%.

However, he was disappointed that there was no mention of subsidies on fuel and food. – February 25, 2023.