WHAT worries the people, especially Malay voters, at the moment is the uncertain economic situation and the continuous increase in inflation, says Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) president Dr Abd Halim Husin.
Hence, the government elected in the 15th General Election (GE15) needs to ensure that the country’s political situation is stable, thus guaranteeing better economic growth.
Dr Abd Halim Husin
According to him, the economy cannot be restored if the government that is elected later is unstable and repeats the episodes of changing governments several times within a term.
“The people are getting more and more stressed by the rising interest rates and the rising American dollar, which is hiking the price of goods in the market.
“That is the biggest concern of the people and DPMM right now, which is to take care of our own ‘stomach’. We don’t care about politics.”
Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram) also hopes that the government that will be formed after GE15 can focus on restoring the economy to create more job opportunities for the people.
Ikram president Badlishah Sham Baharin says that an economic recovery will result in good and stable incomes, controlled inflation and controlled prices of basic necessities so as not to burden the people. It can also improve people’s skills so that they will have a chance to get better jobs.
Badlishah Sham Baharin
He stresses it is urgent for corruption and leakages of public funds to be dealt with seriously.
“The prevention of corruption is necessary to reduce the government’s financial burden in addition to restoring investors’ [positive] perception of Malaysia. The government’s focus should be on changing the basic things that are like a thorn in our flesh.
“Problems related to governance, productivity, corruption and creating value-added elements in the economy through technology, human resource development and education should be addressed in a planned and serious manner.
“Without changes from these angles, Malaysia will not be able to rise to become a progressive and prosperous country,” he says.
The government should also continue empowering padi cultivation and rice production to meet domestic needs, as this will reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, says Cameron Highlands Malay Farmers Association chairman Datuk Syed Abd Rahman Syed Abd Rashid.
Datuk Syed Abd Rahman Syed Abd Rashid
He also urges the government to cultivate abandoned land as farms for the production of local vegetables and fruits.
The government should also provide better incentives to encourage more young people to join the agricultural industry, says Syed Abd Rahman.
“We ask the government to provide more systematic job opportunities for them, such as having a salary and pension scheme that commensurates with what other civil servants enjoy. This can make them more motivated to venture into the industry.” – Sinar Harian/Media in Arms
