Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's budget speech drew loud jeers and shouts of his wife Rosmah Mansor's name from the opposition. It began when Najib announced plans to turn Malaysia into a shopping haven with a proposal to exempt some 300 items from import duties.“Such goods are apparel, handbags, shoes, shampoo, suits...” said Najib, triggering a crescendo of murmuring from the floor.
When Najib announced that “hair dye” was on the list, the government and opposition benches could not hold back any longer and burst into laughter. This was also punctuated with chants of “Rosmah” from several members of the opposition bench. Najib etched a grin following the din and slowed down the pace of his speech while he read out, “... undergarments, lingerie, nightwear, perfumes and mosquito netting.”
His deliberate attempt to provoke his peers drew even more laughter. Louder jeers were saved for later, when Najib announced a RM111 million allocation for the Permata programme, which is Rosmah's brainchild. Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) was heard loudly shouting “Rosmah! Rosmah!”, to which Najib responded with yet another smile.
The budget speech has also resulted in high mentions on the premier's wife on micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Tax deduction for bags, hairspray, perfume... Najib's early Xmas present for Rosmah?" wrote Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching.
"This looks like Budget RM (Rosmah Mansor)," replied Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong.
The Budget Tweets....as compiled by Aidila Razak
Twitter has been abuzz with brickbats and bouquets on the heels of Prime Minister Najib Razak's 2011 budget speech. Here is a survey of what Malaysians are tweeting, edited for clarity.
Special gift for special someone
Teo Nie Ching (Serdang MP): Tax deduction for bags, hairspray, perfume... Najib's early Christmas present for Rosmah (Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor)?
Nasrudin Hassan (PAS Youth): The rakyat is fortunate to be able to wear imported underwear without having to pay tax. Who is going to buy undies in bulk after this? I think I know.
yahyashukor: Underwear plays an important part in achieving the objectives of the Economic Transformation Programme and the seven percent economic growth rate.
Pimo: So Budget 2011 means more Coach, Kate Spade, Miu Miu (handbags) for all? Why not free health services?
Tian Chua (Batu MP): Najib kept a secret gift for the first lady - RM111 million for Permata! What a surprise for Rosmah. Thank you, hubby! So sweet!
Mikichoo: I think the opposition are being a little bit naughty here. Everyone knows Rosmah prefers to do her shopping overseas!
FarisMuhandisu: 'Kosmahtic' budget.
100-storey tower: Outdoing Mahathir
georgettetan: Do we need another huge erection?
Fahmi Fadzil (Fairly Current Show): What would a 100-storey tower really do for the country? Oh wait, contracts.
pratamad: I suspect Najib is like Dr Mahathir - both want a retirement office on top of a skyscrapper. Dr Mahathir has got (Petronas) TwinTowers, Najib wants Warisan Merdeka.
Bumilangit: Guess how many low-cost homes can be built with that money?
strung_out80: Taking (the saying) 'the sky's the limit' a bit too seriously.
Bumilangit: I hope it won't be designed by Rosmah. But why do I think that I would be wrong?
Payrise for the lucky few
Edmund Bon (Bar Council): The crux is in increased allowance for Tok Batin. Who gives it? Where is the accountability? Is it a way to control the Orang Asli?
Amir Muhamad (Filmmaker): Imams and postmen earning RM700? It doesn't pay to seek the right path, or deliver messages in this country.
amai amai: A strategy to buy votes!
What about our future?
CKGord: Looks like EPF funds will be used for development. Hey, that one is not 'tax' money but 'our future' money!
Z4r4z4in: No increase of toll rates for the next five years for PLUS highways - there goes our EPF dividends.
IamMalaysian: RM146 mil to support oil, gas and energy and a "commitment" for green technology. Sweet.
Thumbs up
Erna Mahyuni (Writer): No mention of alcohol tax! Let's drink to that!
Some pats on the back:
Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor MP): RM500 million for re-tooling and upscaling skills. That's good, PM! Make sure there are no leakages for cronies.
Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau MP): I'm glad suggestions by BN Youth Lab made it to the budget: first home-owner scheme, skills training, minimum wage and 1Malaysia fund.
rubus_pheonic: The 3-months maternity leave sounds great. Are all you Astro subscribers ready for the six percent service tax?
Question marks
RashidYusoff11: I waited over an hour. What's the deal with my income tax?
IreneJY: I thought they said if we don't cut down the spending we'd go bankrupt? Why the budget increase this year?
And the conclusion is …Shahredzuan: It's an election budget!
source:malaysiakini
Apakah kita perlu ada satu lagi tanda mercu-menara warisan di Malaysia? Ini satu lagi projek sumber pendapatan untuk memperkayakan seekor dua kroni UMNO.
Ini RM111 juta untuk program PERMATA apakah jadah pula? berbanding peruntukkan RM95 juta sebagai bantuan per-kapita untuk sekolah agama rakyat (SAR) rendah dan menengah. Just because si Big Mama tu bini dia RM111 terbang begitu saja dan yang untung adalah kroni-kroni yang terlibat dengan PERMATA ini.
Bukankah RM 111 juta itu boleh digunakan untuk projek 3M(membaca,menulis dan mengira) bagi ribuan pelajar-pelajar lembam di setiap sekolah harian di negara ini?
cheers.
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