Initially I thought it was his idea but actually it was already
implemented successfully in China.
Key to this stimulus is the stimulus for domestic trade, not export
trade. No point in exporting when there is no market for that.
Removing subsidies to be replaced by cash awards is much better
especially during the current crisis and proven in Indonesia.
This is the only way for Malaysia to become a developed nation. If
Malaysia continue to rely on subsidies and the resultant low salaries
of workers, it will not be developed at all, because development is
measured by the salary of their people, not how much buildings it has.
This is unlike the current Chief Minister of Sabah: Musa Aman, who led
Sabah to be the poorest in the whole world.
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=63904
Simply because by giving cash to the people, he won't get any
commission at all.
March 30, 2009 16:27 PM
Harris Wants Fed Govt To Emulate Thailand By Giving RM300 To Everyone
KOTA KINABALU, March 30 (Bernama) -- Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk
Harris Salleh Monday asked the federal government to review the two
stimulus packages totalling RM67 billion and consider giving RM300
cash to every adult for a nine-month period.
He said the move was necessary to boost economic activities in the
country, particularly in rural areas.
"People will spend and will keep buying domestic products. This in
turn will keep domestic consumers and factories going.
"Thailand's stimulus package is paying 2,000 baht (RM205) to everyone
and this is a good move that we should emulate and even America with
their sophisticated society, everything is established and entrenched
livelihood, its stimulus packages are very effective.
"Its US$145 billion goes directly into the pockets of low-and middle-
income group, especially workers," he told Bernama in an interview.
Harris opined Malaysia's stimulus packages would not benefit the low-
and middle-income people as a large chunk of the RM67 billion would be
spent for infrastructure development and helping exported-oriented
manufacturing industries.
He said the objective of any stimulus package should be for the
benefit of low-and middle-income earners "who are in need and will
spend which in turn will revive the overall economy."
"The only and best way to boost rural economic activities is for the
government to abolish subsidies for rice, sugar, cooking oil and
petroleum products and at the same time also scrap school and medical
fees.
"And in return the government introduces RM300 cash payment," he said.
Harris said the RM300 cash subsidy currently given to fishermen by the
government was not fair and just.
"It's discrimination...what about the people in Tambunan, Nabawan,
Pitas and Kota Marudu who are poorer?" he asked.
Harris said: "The argument of this policy is that when prices of
subsidised goods are adjusted back to current market prices, then the
people will start feeling the pinch of high prices and high cost of
living and start working harder to produce their daily basic
agriculture products from their own areas.
"The rural people can then start working on their vacant or abandoned
land as they have been assured a steady income for the next nine
months without having to worry about their daily needs.
"They will start planting their own rice and vegetables and make
cooking oil from coconuts lying around their houses. Otherwise the
rural people will only survive on the famous Malay saying -- Kais pagi
makan pagi, kais petang makan petang," he said.
Harris, a successful corporate figure in the agriculture sector, said
the RM300 payment a month for nine months would cost the federal
government about RM2 billion a month or RM18 billion for the whole
period.
"This is much cheaper than the subsidy paid by the government. Giving
RM300 a month will in effect distribute the country's wealth equally
nationwide," he said.
He said it would also change the socio-economic status and working
attitude of the rural folk to be self-sufficient, at least for their
daily needs.
"This is an opportunity for Malaysia to use the stimulus packages to
help the low-and middle-income people to boost their economic
activities.
"Making the rural areas once and for all permanently self-sufficient
and sustainable to support at least 60 per cent of their daily
essentials.
"Even Iran is reportedly 95 per cent self-sufficent now in
agricultural output," he added.
