Budget 2012: Fulfilling Promise to the People
September 29, 2012
www.nst.com.my
Fulfilling Promise to the People
2013 BUDGET: Full text of the Budget speech by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday
I begin the 2013 Budget speech by reciting the holy kalimah Bismillahirrahmanirrahim and by reciting a verse from Surah Al-Baqarah, which was revealed in Madinah:
"And everyone has a direction to which he should turn, therefore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together (for judgment); surely Allah has power over all things."
I am here in this august house on a Friday evening to table the government's budget, the fifth since holding office of the minister of finance Malaysia in 2008. Praise be on Allah SWT, for with His blessings and through the collective efforts of my colleagues in the administration and the support of the members of parliament, civil servants and all Malaysians, our beloved country has been successfully shielded from the adverse effects of the global financial crisis. In fact, the economy is on a sustainable growth trajectory towards transforming into a high-income and developed economy, while the well-being of the rakyat continues to be improved.
Indeed, the 2013 Budget continues the excellent tradition of the Barisan Nasional in prospering the country and improving the well-being of the rakyat. This is a manifestation of a promise fulfilled. Since the last 55 years, Malaysians have placed their trust in the same government at every stage of the nation's development. We thank you for your trust. We have never betrayed the people. Instead, we have repaid the trust given to us manifold.
This government has never promised the moon, the stars or the galaxy. We have never painted a pretty picture based on wishful thinking. As a responsible government, we continue to speak the truth even though it may be unpleasant. We have never misled the rakyat with tall tales. On the other hand, we have always offered solutions and provided good leadership to every problem faced by the rakyat.
It is proven beyond doubt that the Malaysian economy is centred on the rakyat. It is the outcome of the vision and aspiration of the rakyat. It is a testimony of the hard work of the rakyat. The economy is the contribution of the rakyat in urban and rural areas, professionals as well as blue-collar workers, farmers, labourers, farmers, smallholders, fishermen, teachers, lecturers and artistes. The economy is supported by civil servants and entrepreneurs. Above all, the economy is managed carefully and prudently by a government which places the well-being of the rakyat as its ultimate objective. This is the formula for the success of Malaysia.
Managing a complex multiracial country like Malaysia is not easy. It requires sincerity and intelligence because Malaysians are a discerning lot. In fact, the rakyat has given the mandate to the same government 12 times since 1959, indicating that this government has done the right things.
The trust that exists between the rakyat and the government cannot be broken no matter how strong the lies. In this regard, the Budget that I am tabling is in appreciation of all Malaysians who have placed their trust in us all this while.
2012 Economic Performance and 2013 Prospects
The government remains committed to ensuring the nation's economic growth continues to flourish despite uncertainties and challenges in the global economy. The nation's strong economic fundamentals, supported by an accommodative monetary policy, have placed the economy on the right path. In the first half of 2012, the economy expanded 5.1 per cent mainly supported by robust private investment and consumption. In tandem with improved investor confidence in Malaysia as a major investment destination, net inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to RM13.6 billion.
For 2012, despite moderate global economic growth and trade, the Malaysian economy is estimated to expand strongly between 4.5 per cent and five per cent. Growth will be driven by private investment at 11.7 per cent to RM127.9 billion. The performance far exceeds the total investment in 2009 at RM81 billion. The trend reflects the growing vibrancy in domestic investment, particularly with the implementation of projects under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). This will support the construction sector to surge 15.5 per cent in 2012 from 4.6 per cent in 2011.
The strong domestic economic environment also boosted the encouraging performance of the stock market. This was reflected in the increase of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI to reach a record high of 1,654.11 points on September 4, 2012.
Market capitalisation increased 44 per cent from RM999 billion as at end-2009 to RM1.43 trillion on September 4, 2012. Per capita income increased to almost RM31,000 in 2012 compared with RM25,000 in 2009. The international reserves position remains strong at RM432.2 billion on September 14, 2012, sufficient to finance 9.5 months of retained imports and is 3.9 times the short-term external debt.
In 2013, based on the prospects of an improved global economy, the Malaysian economy is forecast to expand strongly between 4.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent. For the first time, the nation's nominal gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to exceed RM1 trillion. The higher growth is supported by private investment and consumption at 13.3 per cent and 5.7 per cent, respectively. The construction sector is expected to increase 11.2 per cent followed by the services sector at 5.6 per cent.
2013 Budget Allocation
The 2013 Budget will allocate RM251.6 billion for the implementation of development projects, programmes and measures, with focus on the well-being of the rakyat and national development. Of this amount, RM201.9 billion is for Operating Expenditure while RM49.7 billion, for Development Expenditure.
Under Operating Expenditure, RM58.6 billion is allocated for Emoluments and RM33.7 billion is allocated for Supplies and Services. Meanwhile, RM107.3 billion is allocated for Fixed Charges and Grants, while RM1.1 billion is provided for the Purchase of Assets. The remaining RM1.2 billion is for Other Expenditures.
As for Development Expenditure, RM30 billion is allocated to the economic sector for infrastructure, industrial, agriculture and rural development. A total of RM11.1 billion is allocated to the social sector, including education and training, health, welfare, housing and community development. In addition, RM4.6 billion is allocated for the development of the Security Sector, RM2 billion for General Administration and RM2 billion for Contingencies.
In 2013, the Federal Government revenue collection is estimated at RM208.6 billion compared with RM207.2 billion in 2012. Taking into account the estimated revenue and expenditure, the Federal Government fiscal deficit will further decline to four per cent of GDP in 2013 from 4.5 per cent in 2012. This reflects the government's commitment to continue reducing the fiscal deficit to a lower level.
2013 Budget Focus
The 2013 Budget will focus on improving the quality of life of the rakyat, ensuring sustainable economic growth, spending prudently and reducing the fiscal deficit with the overall objective of prioritising the well-being of the rakyat. The government will ensure that the rakyat enjoys excellent services and obtains maximum benefits from the implementation of development projects and programmes. The 2013 Budget is, therefore, designed based on the theme "Prospering The Nation, Enhancing Well-being Of The Rakyat: A Promise Fulfilled", with focus on five key areas.
Read On: NST: Najib's Budget Speech on September 28, 2012
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