Parliamentarian hopes Budget 2020 to include assistance programmes

0

Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

KUCHING: Santubong MP Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar hopes that the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led federal government will have programmes to help the people, under the national Budget 2020.

He said just recently, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad talked about the ‘Shared Prosperity Vision 2030’ to bring the country forward and become a high-income nation.

However, Wan Junaidi questioned if Dr Mahathir had in mind ways to ensure that the vision would be achieved, or he was considering to introduce what former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had done before to help the people, especially the low-income earners.

“For example, Najib had introduced assistance to help the fishermen and the rubber tappers, and in fact prior to the 14th general election, there were also discussions about assisting smallholders like what had been given to the fishermen.

“We also had ‘Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin’ (housing programme for the hardcore poor, or PPRT) which we are unaware of its status now. Many r people who only earn RM1,000 (per month) cannot afford to buy a house, unless government assistance comes in.

“So, we hope that all of these programmes relating to helping our people – or the social safety net – would be reintroduced. (It) doesn’t matter whatever terms you want to call it,” said

Wan Junaidi when met after presenting a mock cheque for RM300,000 to the committee of St Nicholas Chapel in Bandar Baru Semariang here yesterday.

On another matter, Wan Junaidi pointed out that Sarawak emphasised on agriculture and the federal government must assist the state.

“There are many responsibilities of the federal government that are taken over by the state government; this is not fair, when you, as the federal government, just talk and give instructions,” he said.

He also said Sarawak had about 6,000 longhouses and villages that needed to be further developed with basic infrastructures such as roads, electricity and clean water supply.

“My hope is for the federal government to increase the people’s income in the rural areas, and please be apolitical in your approach,” he said.