Metro

Tuesday October 27, 2009

Budget 2010 gives priority to urban poverty


JOHOR BARU: The forming of the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry announced in the Budget 2010 will finally focus on solving the issue of urban poverty.

Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad said that the issue of poverty had been associated with rural areas but many townships had also been facing similar problems.

“The newly formed ministry could come up with various programmes funded by the Federal Government towards the eradication of urban poverty,” he said, explaining that it was a major concern in Johor Baru.

He also lauded the move by the Prime Minister to build on previous budgets.

“There is no radical change or major reversal of ideas but the new budget will continue to build on the previous foundation and strengthen it,” he said.

He also added that the budget was on the right track, as apart from agriculture, capital development and human capacity, it also addressed the domestic consumption and service sector.

Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that Malaysians have to be more prudent as the Government was not as rich anymore.

“The Government had to break the Petronas ‘bank’ to support this year’s budget.

“People must change their mindset if we are to survive the economic downturn,” he said.

Nur Jazlan added that the education sector received 22% allocation of this year’s budget, as the Government aimed to produce world-class graduates.

“It is the right move for the Government to focus on education as we aim to produce good lawyers, scientists, accountants and other professional. Education is the vital pillar in producing successful graduates,” he said.

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