The Prime Minister has unveiled 2010 budget of RM191.5 billion, consisting of RM138.3 billion or 72.2 per cent (operating expenditure) and RM53.2 billion or 27.8 per cent (development expenditure).
It is a deficit budget against RM148 billion forecasted revenue. All areas are vital however, in my view, the following areas are critical:
1. Subsidies, incentives and assistance amounting to almost RM2 billion to safeguard the interest of farmers and fishermen.
ü Expenses must be transparent and not diverted elsewhere.
2. An additional allocation of RM20 million for small-scale Malaysian-Indian entrepreneurs under the Tabung Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun), on top of the existing RM15-million allocation.
ü Good effort towards 1Malaysia unity.
3. Establishing a RM200-million Creative Industry Fund to finance activities, such as film and drama productions, music, animation, advertisements and local content development. Establishing "Tabung Kebajikan Penggiat Seni" to ensure the welfare of artistes.
The ministry must be discreet and impartial in monitoring these areas, as initiatives are usually lukewarm towards the mid-way. More technical frameworks must be in place especially in respect of content development, which is seen as future revenue generator.
Perhaps serious revival of eVillage Studio?
ü Encourage and establish vibrant research and development activities by local companies leading to innovative ICT/multimedia products that possess significant commercial potential.
§ Increase the creation of Intellectual Property (IP) that enables companies to compete globally.
§ Strengthen the R&D capabilities of Malaysian knowledge workers, in respect of content develoment.
eVillage is more than just for filming movies and dramas as what is happening today, it was intended for a comprehensive state-of-the-art content platform, the ‘e-brain’ so to speak, such as world class post production services, Cad/CAM productions and support and so forth.
If this is not addressed and monitored closely, Malaysia will be left in a limbo compared to Singapore ,Thailand and India.
In this respect , the government should make it mandatory that all local-produced contents be post-produced locally. A penalty should be imposed for any foreign-based post-production content.
In connection to this platform, high speed broad band must be made available and fast to the widest possible areas, not just confined along the corridors, as to enable content companies take full advantage from their places of operation.
To my mind, WIMAX is a waste of time and money, as it is indeed a platform with huge capital investment. It has been proven time and again that microcell-technologies are indeed time consuming and capital intensive, a lot of money that is, unless it is meant for specific localized areas like FELDA, Orang Asli settlement and alike. To use this technology for ubiquitous coverage would be suicidal.
4. An allocation of RM100 million for the PERMATA Programme to implement various programmes, which emphasize early childcare and education in an integrated and organised manner.
ü This program too should be made transparent.
5. About 50,000 hardcore poor households registered with eKasih and 4,000 Orang Asli households will be given assistance to achieve the target of zero hardcore poverty in 2010. An allocation of RM41 million will be provided to improve the income and quality of life of the Orang Asli community.
ü This program too should be made public and transparent.
6. An allocation of RM48 million to implement urban poverty eradication programmes, including welfare assistance and house rental payments. The Ministry of Federal Territories shall now be known as the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing.
ü This is another public-interest domain that should be made transparent via a dedicated website.
7. An allocation of RM224 million to the disabled for the implementation of the Rehabilitation In The Community Programme and an allocation of RM174 million for senior citizens, including assistance as well as the construction and upgrading of two Rumah Seri Kenangan.
ü I hope the community program addresses the youth population as well.
Sources
: BERNAMA
: NEW STRAITS TIMES
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