Budget 2016 and the middle class

Higher toll: File picture showing the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong. The steep toll hike of up to 100 is running pockets dry.

IF there is one word to describe the recent Budget 2016 announcement for the middle class Malaysia, it would be tough.

At the government level, the budget saw some ministries having to slash their finances by more than 50% of last year’s allocation. This does not boil down well with the middle class, as budget cuts amounting to billions at the government level, would only translate to more subsidy cuts.