Rakyat hope for better policies

Cost concerns: (From left) Chan, Eriah and Sufyan want incentives that can improve their livelihoods.

PETALING JAYA: From affordable housing to better tax relief measures, Malaysians from different segments of society are hoping for the retabled Budget 2023 to include measures that can improve their livelihoods.

They say goodies such as the My50 travel pass and the RM100 ewallet credit allocated to Malaysians in the M40 category should also be retained to alleviate the pinch from the rising costs of living.

Engineer Chan Chee Kong, 27, said initiatives to ensure more affordable housing should be included in the retabled budget.

“Better incentives should be given for first-time home buyers, given how much property prices have boomed.

“Targeted subsidies could be carried out for both landed and high-rise properties,” he said.

Taxi driver E. Eriah Yusuff, 69, highlighted the rising costs of goods, noting how subsidies should be considered for taxi drivers looking to renew their driving licences or permits.

“We’re struggling to make ends meet, and a subsidy would be a great financial assistance, given how we have to renew these documents annually, all while tackling the rising costs of vehicle spare parts and repairs,” he said.

He also called for the government to look into increasing the baseline fares of taxis to ensure drivers could earn a better income.

“The prices of other ehailing options have been increasing steadily, but taxi baseline fares have been stuck at RM3 ever since I began driving a taxi some 21 years ago,” he said.

Entrepreneur Muhammad Azrul, 38, said better tax relief efforts could be integrated to help those from the M40 group.

“Considerations should be given to reduce the yearly taxable in- come to a fixed rate of 5%,” he said.

He added that the RM100 ewallet credit for M40 groups with an annual income below RM100,000 should also be retained.

“Any increment to the initially announced amount will also be of great help,” he said.

Software engineer Sufyan Zahri, 33, said the upcoming budget should emphasise digital talents alongside a stronger commitment towards green incentives.

“Focusing on digital talents ensures graduates are job-ready when entering the industry. It also allows them to settle into their jobs without many hiccups or handholding,” he said.

He also said the raising of both Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and ASB2 limits from RM200,000 to RM300,000 was a positive development from Budget 2023, adding that it should be retained.

“Personally, I have a good amount of cumulative returns through ASB financing, and increasing the limit to RM300,000 can potentially improve this,” he said.

Student Christine Lim, 19, said the My50 travel pass initiative should continue as it helped frequent public transport users like her save money amid rising expenses.

“I travel to university by train, and the pass makes it very convenient as I only have to allocate RM50 monthly for unlimited travel options (through public transport services).

“There should also be funds allocated to ensure train services are optimal to avoid any delays or sudden breakdowns,” she said, adding that the RM200 one-off ewallet credit for youths, aged 18 to 20, should be retained.

Food delivery rider E. Devan said the government could consider more one-off payments to ease their financial burden.

“It gives us better purchasing power since most of us do not have a fixed income.

“The cash aid can help us stay afloat, especially since the prices of goods keep increasing,” said the 29-year-old.

Budget 2023 was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 7 last year by then finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, but it was not passed as Parliament was dissolved to pave the way for the 15th General Election.

It is set to be retabled on Friday.