Budget 2023 is set to be tabled on 7 October by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri himself instead of the Finance Minister as customary.
One of the major points of it was that the Indian and Chinese community are getting less than 3% of what the Bumiputera and Orang Asli get in Budget 2022.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng recently took to social media to demand an explanation from the Prime Minister. The former Finance Minister called it unfair, and wants to know why the Chinese and Indian communities were discriminated against regarding allocations.
“Can Ismail Sabri explain why the Indian and Chinese community deserve only RM345 million or less than 3% of the RM11,674 million that is given to the Bumiputera and orang Asli community under the 2022 Budget?”
In his statement, Lim said that Ismail is not being honest and sincere in his assurances that the government will not marginalise efforts to empower urban and rural Chinese communities in the tabling of Budget 2023.
“Even Malay economists had pointed out to Ismail touting his Malay and Muslim government with particular emphasis on race and religion.”
“How can Ismail ensure that Budget 2023 is focused on the welfare and well-being of the people as a whole, when the Budget is race-specific and not based on needs“, asked Lim.
He also pointed out how Ismail only talks about different cultures and the strengthening of the relationship among races during the election season.
“I cannot recall him encouraging the hosting of Chinese cultural programmes before. All we can remember is Ismail’s failed Digital Mall project in KL exclusively for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.”
Do you agree with his statement?
Also read: “We will proceed” – Zahid Hamidi Slammed For Harshly Saying Elections Must Go On Despite Floods
