This Post should have been posted up yesterday, doing a post-mortem on the Prime Minister's announced Budget. Bad Engrish -- should not use words originating from common root 'post" together in close viciity of each other -- if this be an English lesson, but it's not. This is for the records so that my more discerning -- sometimes can be dis-con-certing -- broken up to make sure, or 'ensure' (which is preferred in precis-writing as it is one 'word' comapred with two) the spell is right -- ER like Howsy and Mave SM, most times acting in con-cert, and with AM, in con-sort too, but why is Desi's back to his old habit of digressing? You're askin' Desi, I arse who?
Tell you two GOoD reasons:
Reason one, to Cheer about!, is that long LOST Sabrina Tan is now back conversing at Desi's, which is a relief on Sunday morn as it adds a high to my CON BF from which I get a weekly Hi from th aromatic, generous spread of peanut butter. Yes, I enjoy being nutty, and also good at buttering up -- some people and bread.
Reason two, not for cheering!, is that another long LOST mentee continues to go MIA.
He "failed" to turn up for a G7 Meet planned especially for him to welcome his "desertion" from I guess, the Foreign Legion.
But never, mind, I had a catchUP with Y&A Kyels, I emailed Sabbie that we could feel her "Audrey Hepburn" presence in spirit at KLC-See "we do have thee on our mind!", and the lunch turned into a sort of late Breakfast at Tiffany's.I "miss'd" Penangites a lot, so I settled for Nasi Kandar (no, it's not from Kandahah! ha! ha!) while Kyels settled for poo-Rich, that's how e fanny Buggers spell it, you know the 3/4-cooked rice in swriling hot H2O, ah,ah, oh, oh? Burnt your tongue, young chic?
Back to serious, G2 was productive and educating, as mentee-turned-Mentor Kyels shares a li'l aout her contemporary Gen3 (we shall keep these findings under wraps at present, life a precious gift!); but I did advise this Y&A to take another Y&A under her belt, black, white or karate!
Back to more sseerrrrious, the national issue,our dear Prime Minister Pak Lah gave Desi a triple-Hi with his Budget. I deem this a semi-socialist Bud; mayhaps an early Geneeral Elections is in the offing, GE2007?
Am I glad that Pak Lah's Budget resembles a Socialist inclined roadmap, one after my heart -- a good start after three years! Mt Elegant Silence does speak with high eloquence at the right platform, and at the right time, doesn't he? So myGOoDfriends like Howsy, Mave and Anak Merdeka, who I suspect are somewhat doubting Thomases/Thomasey about Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's capability to act like a National CEO, I often ask of them: Give the PM a break!
Eepecially on a Sundae! And I too take a break for a belated CON BF-cum-lunch, it's o'lady! 12.30PM while my mind thinks it was about 10! Becoming a li'l weathered after yesterday's travel, and akin to Waiting for one Godot?, but no elegant silence on 2 waiters -- I was humming Try a Little Kindness all the time/dime, on account of the socialist-in-our-CEO delivering gifts the day afore.
Seeya later, I won't go Join the Legionnaires, the situation back home is steal not desperate, Sabbie! NO V: for Vendetta Eeether, or Ayether!
Continued @2.22PM:
The headlines say it awe:
The weekend mail: INCENTIVES GALORE
The Star: Budget for all
I'm reprising the Highlights (for the record, from page 5) from the MM, jest Cut&Paste like hot pastries just outa the oven while I prepare piping hot tehtarik, K!:)
~~~~~~~
Budget 2007: Highlights
- RM159.4 billion for Budget 2007
- Students who obtain 10 A1s in SPM or its equivalent, from families with monthly income of RM1,500 and below, will be given scholarships to pursue tertiary education.
- To encourage computer ownership, eligibility period for the incentive to purchase one, currently given once every five years, is shortened to once every three years. Current RM500 tax rebate replaced with a tax relief of RM3,000.
- Specific excise duty on cigarettes increased by one sen a stick and for liquor with alcohol content of more than 40 per cent, excise duty increased by RM5 a litre.
- Civil Service Fixed Allowance increased to RM50 a month from Jan 1, 2007.
a. Those earning up to RM750 a month will be paid two months bonus. Those earning more than RM750 a month will be paid one month bonus subject to minimum of RM1,500.
b. pensioners receiving less than RM750 will receive RM400, while those receiving more than RM750, will get RM200 in a one-off payment.
- Tax relief on the purchase of books will be increased from RM700 to RM1,000 a year.
- Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) expected to invest RM10 billion during the period of 2006-2010, increasing the number of trains by 140, new buses by 1,000 and a double track commuter rail line.
- RM4.9 billion to enhance the efficiency of the Royal Malaysian Police operations.
- RM685 million for the development and management of arts, culture and heritage activities.
- RM149 million for Visit Malaysia Year 2007
a. Income tax exemption for tour operators providing packages with at least 500 inbound tourists a year or 1,200 local tourists a year be extended for another five years until 2011.
b. Tour operators be given 50 per cent excise duty exemption on locally assembled four-wheel-drive vehicles.
c. Income tax exemption to employees for local leave passage provided by employers, currently only for fares, extended to include expenses on accommodation and meals.
- RM33.4 billion allocation for operational and development expenditure for education and training system.
a. RM6.7 billion for primary education; RM6.2 billion (secondary); RM10.4 billion (higher) and RM10.4 billion (training)
b. 22 new primary and secondary schools operational next year, 198 new schools will be built, including fully residential secondary schools. Two new Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) and new equipment for existing ones.
c. RM195 million to upgrade and improve facilities in existing universities. Establish Universiti Darul Naim in Kelantan, upgrade Akademi Tentera Malaysia into University Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia.
d. RM288 million allocated under the Bestari school programme.
e. RM450 million to build and upgrade polytechnics and community colleges.
- Annual grant of RM30 million for NGOs to undertake women and family and community programmes.
a. RM80,000 for ministries and government departments to set up childcare centres.
b. RM50 subsidy for every mammogram done in private clinics and hospitals registered with LPPKN.
c. RM721 million to implement youths and sports programmes.
d. RM50 monthly allowance for primary school children and RM70 for secondary students from poor families.
- RM10 billion for provision of health facilities and equipment, services of specialists and training programmes. RM125 million for three new hospitals in Shah Alam, Selangor, Pendang, Kedah, and Permai, Johor.
- Under-declaration and smuggling of high duty goods like motor vehicles, cigarettes and liquor will cost offenders a minimum compound of five times the total tax payable
- RM154 million for MDeC for various activities, including provision of more comprehensive services ranging from registration to operations and SME industry development programmes.
- Corporate tax rate reduced by two percentage points in two stages — 27 per cent next year and 26 per cent for 2008.
DESI: the HIGHLIGHTED points in the Highlights (BOLDED THUS) are mine -- as I term it, Socialist-inclined Pak Lah's traits reflected and refined, after Desi's heart. Just for the record, Desi on Sundays without fail is 100% capitalist -- so that's to bst day to date me, 'rite! Please bring along thy Platinum kad! I won't check thy I-See
Yes, the PM has tried a little kindness. Rising above all the noise and cacopjony of sound and fury the past few, taxing months. Despite some no-shows, there are in deed some showers of blessing Malaysians have grounds for some morsels of Optimism on its 49th birthday.
And ending on a culturally socialist note,surely we have heard enough criticism that NegaraKu can boast infrastructure to best the First World giants like the USA and Japan, but we trail like a century behind in its toadlike mindset?
So let's rejoice -- hope it's not in vain! -- at this Initiative:
~~~~~~~
Budget 2007: How does RM100m sound?
THE announcement to establish the Creative Industry Development Fund, to develop creative arts and produce export- quality content, including animation, was welcomed by many industry players.
Karyawan Malaysia president Freddie Fernandez said the move was just what the industry needed.
“We need to explore new markets because the one here is shrinking. We have to think big and start exporting our products,” he said.
“Before we can do that, we have to beef up quality. The funds will come in handy, especially in terms of training, to raise the standards.”
Fernandez added that there were a few funds before this but not many knew how to get it.
Singer and businessman Norman Abdul Halim agreed that the fund would provide a catalyst for growth for the creative arts industry.
“This will create jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs in that field,” he said.
“The industry needs a push; the local market is small and we need to look at ways to export our products,” he added.
Persatuan Akademi Industri Muzik Malaysia general manager Jennifer Thompson said: “Hopefully, the allocation and administration will be done fairly.
“I hope that it’s not too late because the industry is really in a bad shape.”
Recording Industry Association of Malaysia chairman Sandy Monteiro added: “This is the first budget in 10 years that included the creative arts industry.”
To encourage private sector participation in sponsoring local arts, cultural and heritage performances, it was proposed under the 2007 budget that the current tax deduction on contributions up to RM300,000, be increased to RM500,000.
Yet, many in the local performing arts scene don’t think that would make much difference.
Gardner & Wife producer Diong Chae Lian, was unconvinced.
“I’ve been hearing this for the last couple of years. I don’t think it’s going to significantly change anything in the day to day running of the arts scene.”
“People assume the problem is the lack of money, but the main problem is the bureaucracy,” she said.
“I don’t think many in the Ministry know that there’s a 25 per cent entertainment tax across the nation.
“If that’s abolished, we should see an improvement in the arts and culture scene.”
KLPac Theatre manager Teoh Ming Jin agreed.
“They talk about tax exemption, but that’s not really true. When they said the same thing in the last budget, DBKL still charged the same rates because they weren’t sure of what kind of shows or events the policy and exemption included.”
He said that the Government has to understand that the arts scene encompasses many different forms and the authorities have to make the guidelines or policies clear to all.
DESI: I just hope under this Fun-d, the role and initiatives by the likes of jeffooi.com, malaysia-today.net, ah, latest babe on the blogsworld sin -- RobertChai.com -- are encompassed, yes? Desi's Place and all mGf's A-abodes too-lah, if it's not too much to ask. We are all tax-payers too, yes!
PS: In the spirit of Mr Nice Guy, and also this being a Sabbath Day for a good section of my ER,and specially for sssssspirit who requested some poesy, I'll borrow from Glen to provide some Campbell's soup for the soul, may Eye?
Try a Little Kindness
If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and stay you're going the wrong way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
6 comments:
Thanks for that summary. Haven't been reading the papers.
Prose:
The honour is mine -- and would though be on that poetic journy trying to touch another 111,111?
Care to stop over at Furong? I'll have the water at standby boiling point, you brin the aromatic Coffee, sugar?:)
No, pak lah did not raise duties on coffee beans or sugar candy.
wei, what has the budget benefited u ah? got poetry also ah?
bruddr mave:
the bduegt got dseI ealted as my low icnmoe felalnem get a few hi; hnece my ceelb on CON-hi Braefsat @ Tiffnany.
as for peosy, it's to savle stersesd suols lkie Mave, Howsy -- anak m no need as she has her Bread Puiddng!:):)
Now dsei salvitea, go antoher ruond of CON BF!:) Even Monday can be a PrimeDae!:) Yan, joineth you me?
Huh, a little kindness, as given RM0.20 to a beggar? (Nope, they are more than welcome if you give them real Sterling pound penny)
moo_t:
a long journey starts with the first step; Big-O charity starts with a li'l humble few sen; the pound Sterling cometh in GoOD dime, my fren, Pak Lah is a God-fearing man, like you and me. I pray. I think from Today. I can afford to say less of I.S.A.... Jest thinking allowed.A Hi from Lo-Budget.
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