SHAH ALAM, 4 Jan: The austerity measures announced by the Federal Government to reduce public sector expenditure is likened to ” melepas batok di tangga” (a Malay proverb which means to do something half-heartedly), because it is incompatible with the aim to reduce the national deficit.
The Central PAS Committee Member, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said that the 11 measures announced by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is clearly too late because it is done after mounting public anger, especially during the 31 December demonstration.
He said that the growing national deficit, for over 16 years, cannot be addressed effectively through the implementation of these measures.
“The deficit which has been growing for 16 years cannot be addressed simply by reducing 10 percent of entertainment allowances of ministers and deputy ministers because such a move does not amount to much.
“Excessive wastages and leakages by Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, such as the use of private jets at the cost of RM180 million a year, should be addressed.
“If it can be handled, the government’s operation cost can be reduced and with greater savings,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini.
The Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, in a statement yesterday, expects the government to announce several more austerity measures in efforts to reduce public sector expenditure and it will be the continuation to the 11 measures previously announced by Najib.
Meanwhile, when commenting on the government’s call for the people to be prudent when facing the rising cost of living, Dzulkefly described as unreasonable.
He said that people learning a low wage have been long burdened by the extreme increase in cost of living to a point that there is no room for luxury like BN leaders.
Dzulkefly also described the call as hypocrisy and likened it to a crab teaching its young to walk straight (a Malay proverb).
“What is proposed should be taken into account, but those earning a low income have long been oppressed and burdened by the cost of living, in fact there is no room for luxury.
“They are asked to change their lifestyles, but national leaders do not change their habits. The people have already taken measures to change, but top leaders do not know the agony of the people below.
“Stop leakages, wastages and wasteful expenditure because that is what is needed. Not make recommendations like this,” he said.
