MALAYSIAN Indian Voice (MIV) founder Pappa Raidu Veraman has expressed his dismay and frustration with the draft budget for 2022, claiming that it has failed to reflect Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Keluarga Malaysia ideals.
“The Chinese community has been allocated RM200 mil, the Orang Asli community, RM274 mil and the Indian community, RM145 mil. However, RM11.4 bil was allocated for the Bumiputera agenda,” he pointed out.
“Budget 2022 is irrational seeing as to how there are massive difference in allocation between different races in the country.”
According to Pappa Raidu, he has failed to see the Keluarga Malaysia concept in the draft of the current budget.
“The Government led by Ismail Sabri must realise that his position is ‘stable’ now thanks to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Opposition parties.
“He should be a good example for all Malaysians and reflect the real meaning of Keluarga Malaysia by giving equal opportunity and equal budget to all Malaysians regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.”
Pappa Raidu went on to say that it is time for Ismail Sabri – and all future prime ministers of Malaysia – to take a vital role when drafting the national budget by looking only at the necessary merits rather than focusing on race and religion.
“We claim that Malaysia is a developing country but yet, many families in rural areas still suffer without clean water, food, proper education and a safe living environment, among others.
“We should remember to refrain from practising the same ideals of UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) who have still failed to achieve the National Economic Policy (NEP)’s 30% Bumiputera target despite decades in power.
“In the end, only certain ‘elites’ get to reap the benefits of the policy.
“This is why the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers should take a closer look at the Budget from taxpayers’ perspective and must be fair and distribute funds equally to all Malaysians,” he concluded. – Nov 4, 2021
