PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government has incorporated ideas from all segments of the society into the revised Budget 2023 which he tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (Feb 24).
The budget is aimed at instilling and fostering the spirit of unity in diversity and focused on initiatives to eradicate poverty and the hardship of the hardcore poor, according to MIC’s deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
“Poorest Malaysians regardless of what race or religion will be given immediate aid to increase their income potential and help lift them out of poverty,” he told FocusM when probed about his frank view of the revised Budget 2023.
“This is Anwar’s maiden budget as PM and Finance Minister, hence the reception towards his Budget 2023 could determine the government’s approval rating for the rest of the year.”
Sravanan was especially impressed with the RM750 mil People’s Income Initiative (IPR) which is intended to empower about 130,000 hardcore poor individuals to generate income. The scheme, among others, will enable hard core poor to earn between RM2,000 to RM2,500 a month for two years, after which they can use such earnings to generate income on their own.
“There are several aspects of the budget that I am happy about. RM2.3 bil has been allocated to ensure the best infrastructure for children, including an allocation of RM920 mil for buildings and infrastructure and learning facilities in 380 dilapidated schools especially in Sabah and Sarawak,” the Tapah MP shared. “This includes the Tamil schools.”
Zeroing into Tamil schools, Saravanan is hopeful that the government will prioritise the immediate resolution of the issue of dilapidated Tamil schools in the country for the welfare of the students and to boost the standard of education.
“Issues involving the welfare of the Tamil schools have long been a subject of debate. Politically, Tamil schools have been a bedrock for canvassing by political parties to win over Indians voters during elections,” he revealed. – Feb 25, 2023
