By Lisa J. Ariffin
SHAH ALAM, Oct 4 ― Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today called upon Selangor youths to realise Putrajaya’s achievements amid the global economic slump as well as its proposed efforts to help the nation via Budget 2013.
The deputy prime minister today said that under Barisan Nasional’s (BN) rule, the country has achieved outstanding economic growth despite the global slowdown. He also said the government would continue to financially assist every Malaysian regardless of age or income.
“In a situation where many countries in the world are facing economic problems, our country has come up with an outstanding budget,” Muhyiddin said today during a gathering with Selangor non-governmental organisation (NGO) youth leaders at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here.
“In whatever the situation, Malaysia can come up with a Budget to give benefits to all the people.
“I believe this Budget is the best and brings benefits to all groups of people ― nobody is left out ― this is what the people must remember,” he added.
Muhyiddin pointed out that Malaysia’s economy grew by more than four per cent this year and was expected to grow at a rate of four to five per cent in 2013.
“The youth must understand this... Half of the people don’t want to judge this, don’t appreciate, don’t want compare what we’ve achieved in this country to what’s happening around the world,” he said.
He added many Malaysians complain about being unemployed, “but in many other countries there is no employment”.
“Here, people from overseas come to fill our jobs. It’s not that there are no jobs here, but people are selective.”
Muhyiddin said Putrajaya will continue its many initiatives for youths in the form of book allowance, BR1M and, recently, a RM200 rebate on smartphones and 50 per cent discount on commuter fare as announced by Najib (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak).
“People say things are expensive and there is inflation, the PM has helped ease this through the budget,” he said.
He then slammed Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) alternative budget, saying the opposition was making “unrealistic promises and targets”.
“PR says they can reduce deficit. In reality, they don’t know because they don’t understand the economy, they are not in the government,” he said.
Muhyiddin said if Malaysia was to adopt PR’s “contractory budget” there would be “more problems, and no jobs”.
“The PM’s budget is expansionary that stimulates the economy and creates job opportunities.”