Billions, millions – merely political smokescreens: Ramli Ibrahim on Budget 2022

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Indian classical dance pioneer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim has expressed his scepticism over the government’s biggest national budget that was tabled by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz yesterday.  

Ramli said that the declaration of millions and billions in Budget 2022 is merely a political smokescreen.  

The artistic director of Sutra Dance Theatre used the Malay proverb “seperti melepaskan batuk di tangga” to imply that the government is half-hearted and inadequate in dealing with matters such as climate change and environmental sustainability.  

“For me, the budget does not try to deal with one of the most pertinent and vital concerns plaguing us – climate change and environmental sustainability.  

“Basically, the figures are political smokescreens and serve as ‘melepaskan batuk di tangga’ where these areas are concerned,” he said in a statement today. 

In his Budget 2022 tabling yesterday, Tengku Zafrul said the government will exempt import duties, excise duty, and sales tax for electric vehicles in efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Aside from that, Tengku Zafrul announced that a total of RM450 million will be allocated to various ministries in implementing environment and biodiversity initiatives.   

He also announced that a total of RM70 million will be allocated to the ecological fiscal transfer to preserve biodiversity to all states annually, and the implementation mechanism will be strengthened through outcome-based ecological criteria.   

Ramli, who is also the chairman of Sutra Foundation chairman, commended the allocation of RM52.6 billion to the Education Ministry making it the largest recipient of the national budget.  

However, he said it serves no purpose if the provision is focused on religious schools and tahfiz under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).  

“Will this money contribute toward raising the standard of education or will it go towards more tahfiz or Jakim-type of education?  

“And so much money for defence? Will we spend it purchasing another missing submarine?”  

More is needed for theatre

He criticised the budget allocated to revive the tourism sector, saying it would hardly filter on “serious” arts and culture.  

“The entertainment tax rebates have been there previously. The ‘finer points’ on tax rebates are never clear – we are always stumped by the terms and conditions stated in the fine print.”  

He also said the government should look into offering a moratorium to theatre rental for the next five years, or at least to some theatres, or tax rebates on theatre rental.  

“I would have liked to see real allocation made to update existing theatre venues. Istana Budaya looks tawdry and bedraggled, serving as an apt symbol of the poor state of arts and culture of the nation.  

“National Culture and Arts Department theatres in all major cities are in a sad state of disrepair and need budgeting or dire auditing to make them potent spaces of cultures again. They are presently not functional.”

Lastly, he admitted that he is cynical of the figures quoted in the budget and wants relevant expert bodies to provide credible tracking on how these money are truly and eventually spent. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021