a Malaysia for Malaysians

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) today presents recommendations to the lawmakers in the Malaysian Parliament as they continue to debate the 2009 Budget presented by the government on 29 August of this year. PR recommendations are made in light of the global economic and financial crisis, the sharp decline in commodities markets and the anticipated impact of these and other factors on the Malaysian economy.

Pakatan Rakyat believe that the 2009 Budget as presented is deeply flawed, not only in its assumptions but also in its prescriptions for navigating the country through the stormy waters of prolonged global economic recession expected in 2008 and 2009. The nation’s leaders seem to be on auto-pilot, unaware of the challenges which have already risen in the form of runaway inflation, rising unemployment and declining foreign investment. More troubling is their prolonged state of denial over the grim economic forecasts. The entire industrialized world, upon which the Malaysian economy relies heavily, is bracing for the worst recession in over a half century and our leaders have not offered a single reassuring statement or policy to indicate that they understand the gravity of the situation.

There is a pressing need for a meaningful exchange of ideas by lawmakers on both sides of the political divide to formulate a more credible budget and a more responsible plan to allocate and spend the money that has been entrusted upon the government by its rightful stewards, the people of Malaysia.

The ruling party has thus far proven itself incapable of engaging in such a dialogue. The views presented by the Pakatan Rakyat in the Parliament have yet to be adequately debated by elected lawmakers because of the conspicuous absence of the majority of BN MPs and the senior Ministers from the Dewan Rakyat. Their silence is deafening. It reflects an arrogance of power and disdain for the plight of the ordinary Malaysian citizen whose life and livelihood will be directly impacted by the precarious economic situation.

Pakatan Rakyat believes in the democratic process and we will uphold our promise to the people of Malaysia. We represent their interests and will fight relentlessly against the corruption and cronyism which has contributed in large part to the nation’s precarious fiscal and economic condition. We will do our part to hold the government to account so that the taxpayer’s contributions as well as the nation’s abundant natural resource wealth are put to good use for the benefit of the people and the future of Malaysia.

Click here to read Complete Pakatan Rakyat 2009 Budget Recommendation in English

Klik di sini untuk membaca Saranan Rakatan Rakyat untuk Belanjawan 2009 dalam Bahasa Malaysia