I think I am the happiest minister today. After being in the Cabinet for nine years, this budget has been the best one so far for the ministry. It opens up many opportunities for women to work, even if they are at home.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein:
I am glad that the prime minister has given us the allocation that we have asked for, this will be channelled to tackle problems such as reducing the crime rate and improving ties between the various agencies under the ministry. It is also a very rakyat-friendly budget which is focusing into transforming the nation into a developed nation.
PKR secretary-general and Machang MP Saifuddin Nasution:
I feel that the budget still has a lot of flaws and has not addressed issues that concern the rakyat. It is still rhetoric and the focus is more on mega projects.
Health Minister Datuk LiowTiong Lai:
Our allocation has increased form last year, which shows the government's commitment to healthcare and improving hospital facilities for the rakyat. There is also an increase of training funds to train more doctors. I would like to thank the PM on the implementation of more mobile clinics and another 25 1Malaysia clinics.
Opposition Leader and Permatang Pauh MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim:
It's definitely an election budget, there is still no emphasis to assure the public of a new more transparent model. It still does not address issues such like the failure to attract foreign investments and it is still riddled with mega projects that will benefit cronies, In my view it is a budget that focuses too much on the goodies without being substantial.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen:
It is a very holistic budget and am glad that there are many benefits provided for women such as the extended maternity leave. I am also very supportive of the minimum wage. Hopefully, with the abolishing of import duties for the luxury (shopping) items, we will be very competitive in terms of tourism and I hope this will be extended until the year 2020 for tourists are estimated to spend a total of RM50 billion for shopping.
PAS deputy president and Bachok MP Nasharuddin Mat Isa:
The budget has too many incentives that are not needed by the rakyat, such as the abolishing of import duties for lingerie and luxury items when more issues on costs that burden the rakyat such as the high cost for toll was not really dealt with. It sounds good that the toll won't be increased for five years but after this five years what will happen?
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong:
It is good that now school children will be supplied with vitamins and supplements which will complement the 1Malaysia milk programme. It shows that the government cares and is putting emphasis on the children's health.
Klang MP Charles Santiago:
If you look at the introduction of the Budget, it’s RM212.13 billion ... out of that 76% goes for operating budget and 21% for development.
How are you going to reach your 2020 high income economy when your development expenditure is so little?
But the good part of the budget is the commission of the wage consultative body, where multi-stakeholders play a part.
And why do we need a hundred-storey building in KL?
