VOICES of concern are being raised as we approach 2022, after almost two years of battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The concern this time, however, is related to the annual budgetary allocations.
Despite the “Malaysian Family” slogan expounded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to prioritise Malaysian values, unity and well-being, the “family” did not see a fair distribution of the budgetary allocation in Budget 2022. The budget clearly shows a stark disparity in allocations for the Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras, including the Indian population, despite all being part of the very fabric of the “Malaysian Family”.
An analysis of the budget allocation for communities shows that RM11.4 billion (more than 97%) has been allocated for Bumiputeras, while only under 3% of this amount, or RM345 million, has been allocated for non-Bumiputera groups, specifically the Chinese and Indians.
A further breakdown of the allocation shows that the Indian community has only been given RM145 million, which translates to about 1.27% of the total budget for all Malaysians, a.k.a. the ”Malaysian Family”.
Over the years, both Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras have continuously been duty-bound tax-paying citizens who annually pay their income taxes to contribute to the country’s economy and development expenditure. This has been done in the spirit of the Malaysian family even before the slogan was coined.
Despite this, statistics still show evidence of poverty in existence among all the races in Malaysia. As such, no opposition is raised to the allocation for the Bumiputeras. What is raised, is for a fair treatment regarding the allocation for non-Bumiputeras to reflect an inclusive and a non-discriminatory budget.
Livelihoods, education primary focus for deprived Indians
Narrowing down to the issues faced by the Indian community, another critical point that needs to be addressed in the budget is how Indians in the lower-income group are going to survive as a prudent government plan to assist the neglected poor or marginalised Indians is missing in the budget.
As for the measly allocation for the Indian community, it is obviously a miscalculation as, apart from the social-economic development of the community, the allocation also needs to include and prioritise education, welfare, and food aid to the underprivileged and neglected Indian community.
The RM145 million allocation specified by the government is to be distributed to the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit and Tekun Nasional’s Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme.
Although supporting the entrepreneurial group is important for the community, the primary concerns are the daily livelihoods, welfare, and education of the deprived sector of the community. Additionally, budget allocations should be adequate to carry out effective programmes to provide skill-based training and upskill Indian youth to ensure employment needs are met.
Taking these issues into consideration, the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) humbly appeals to the federal government to revisit Budget 2022 and to make necessary recalibrations to provide for the above needs of the Indian community.
Amendments to increase the allocation for the non-Bumiputeras, in particular for the Indian community, need to be made. PHA humbly suggests raising the proposed 3% to at least 5% of the total budget allocation for non-Bumiputeras. It is also hoped that an entrusted body would be established to oversee the management of the budget allocations for the Indian community without fear or favour.
PHA believes these suggestions can somewhat help reduce the possibility of the Indian community in general, and the deprived sector of the community specifically, from falling behind in today’s society. What is more pertinent for the Indian community is a fair allocation in the budget to improve its socio-economic status rather than leadership slogans such as “1Malaysia”, “New Malaysia”, or “Malaysian Family”. – The Vibes, November 15, 2021
P. Murugiah is president of Penang Hindu Association
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