By Debra Chong BANGI, Oct 18 – The DAP has called on Barisan Nasional ministers to set aside their political differences and work together to safeguard the national economy from joining the global downward slide.
"We are willing to meet the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the new Finance Minister to find a common ground to face the global financial crisis," DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng told reporters during the political party's Hari Raya open house at the Kajang Municipal Council Stadium in Bandar Baru Bangi here today.
"We are serious if the government is serious. We attach no conditions," he added.
"We should not be in denial mode. We should not be like an ostrich who puts its head in the sand," he remarked.
The Chief Minister of Penang noted that the federal government is scheduled to present an economic stabilisation plan in Parliament on Monday.
In anticipation of the event, Lim, the MP for Bagan, suggested four measures that the government can implement for the protection of people, particularly those living below the national poverty line, when the full force of the economic crisis hits.
The first is a daily revision of the petrol price at the pumps so that the rakyat can enjoy the benefits immediately when the world oil price drops. At the moment, the price of petrol undergoes a fortnightly review.
Lim noted that the current price has dropped to US$68 a barrel from US$80 a barrel last week. However, the decrease in petrol price is not reflected in the people's daily expenditure.
He wants the government to reduce the electricity tariffs for the same reason.
Next, Lim urged the government to progressively reduce personal and corporate taxes to a single rate of 17%, instead of the present 27% and 25% respectively.
Lastly, he wants the government to "give money" directly to help the poor and eradicate hardcore poverty. The funds, said Lim, can be taken from the national oil company's profits.
"Petronas can afford to pay. It is only a third of their profits. We ask the government to give RM6,000 a year to each household earning less than RM6,000 a month. This works out to RM500 a month," he argued.
"These will not only help stabilise the economy but help the people face the economic crisis," he concluded. -- MI
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Work with Govt in facing crisis, Najib urges Opposition
KUALA LUMPUR: The Opposition has been urged to work together with the Government to develop a common ground in facing the global financial crisis.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this could “perhaps be the one positive result of the global economic crisis and a struggling economy.”
“Of late, Malaysia has become increasingly torn by the very thing which provided our independence and sustained our strength - our diversity.
“Much like the global community, increasing political and economic pressures and occasional self-interest have driven some of us away from the pursuit of mutual understanding and interest,” he said in his speech at the closing dinner of the Regional Eisenhower Fellowships Conference here last night.
Najib said the list of challenges faced by the Government was made even more daunting with the Opposition, which is a critical voice to any productive democracy, still adamant in claiming the majority voice in Parliament through the back door.
“Our system of government, and anyone who serves in it, has come under suspicion and criticism, sometimes of the most offensive sort.
“Perhaps most importantly, there is an entire generation of Malaysians coming of age who know nothing of productive discourse, compromise or win-win solutions,” he said.
He said another ongoing challenge was a frustrated electorate that matured at a faster pace than its government.
“Malaysia is fortunate that the electorate remain willing, within limits, to provide the Government the time to catch up,” he said.
On the economic crisis, he said: “Malaysia must take this opportunity in adversity to further integrate our economies with our most important trade and investment partners.
“We must avoid the temptation to resort to protectionist barriers - the world must remain open for business,” he added.
Here is a offer from the PM, NOW IS THE TIME FOR DAP TO PRESS THE PM, LETS SEE WHETHER NAJIB MEANS WHAT HE SAYS OR IS HE JUST ANOTHER FLIP-FLOP.
I get the impression that umno's idea of working together is, DON'T COMPLAAIN SO MUCH, LET US THE UMNO WARLORDS MAKE MONEY BY BUYING EUROCOPTERS AT TWICE THE MARKET PRICE, AND POCKETING THE COMMISSION. When the opposition said to revise the budget najib said no need because malaysia is cash rich with a -$285 billion in bad debts owing to other countries, than why is he making this statement to alll the foreigners or is it just for show? looks like we the rakyat are in for a worse ride than with BADAWI, WELL LOOKS LIKE THE END OF THE RAHMAN THEORY, UMNO DIES WITH NAJIB, what an irony, the son kills the father's legacy, and how right it will feel, come the next election we the rakyat are really going to kick umno and their scumbag machais from BN out of government, and into prisons.
lim kit siang should have worn a baju melayu.
there is perfectly nothing wrong with it.
i have been wearing baju melayu all along esp
during my visit to my malay friends festival or wedding occasion
because i am MALAYSIAN.
TO ALL THE DAP LEADERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
after all you guys have been talking about malaysia for malaysian.
now is the time to walk the talk and throw away
all those typical chinaman thinking.
hopefully LIM KIT SIANG / LIM GUAN ENG / KARPAL SING / GOBIND AND THE REST
WILLL READ THIS.
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