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PMX Teases ‘Ultra Rich’ Budget Cuts For 2025 – Malaysians’ Reactions Are Priceless!
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PMX Teases ‘Ultra Rich’ Budget Cuts For 2025 – Malaysians’ Reactions Are Priceless!

Budget 2025 will be tabled on 18 October and people have things to say.

by
October 1, 2024
Credit: Freepik

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Budget 2025 is to be tabled in Parliament on 18 October and it will be the last budget for the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025). So far, the Malaysian economy has been performing beyond expectations with inflation rates holding steady across the board.

Budget 2025 is expected to improve the nation’s competitiveness to attract investments, prudent spending, uplifting the quality of lives, equitable wealth distribution, and more. This includes lessening subsidies and reducing annual net borrowings. It’s all in the name of the better future.

In the lead-up to tabling the budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted that the budget would benefit the poor. This will likely involve cutting subsidies that the ultra-rich enjoy.

Another thing Anwar intends to stop is the “leakages” involving wealthy people abusing education opportunities. Some elite families have been sending their children to science schools or Malay institutions meant for the poor.

He noted that these changes may be unpopular among the affected groups but it’s essential changes for the country.

However, netizens online have questions and demands too. Here are some things they wish to be included in Budget 2025.

1. Start culling from the top

A post that has gotten many likes suggested Anwar to start “culling” the many perks enjoyed by ministers and parliament members (MPs).

As we all know, these politicians (and high-ranking civil servants who are meant to be working for the public good) enjoy extravagant allowances, including holidays and trips abroad, which are paid for by taxpayers. P.S: The people who hold public offices serve the nation (and the public).

However, this strategy could be a shot in the foot because the politicians may just support or jump ship to anyone who would let them keep their riches, which isn’t great for society at large either.

2. Clarify who’s the ultra-rich

“Eat the rich” but who are the rich, wealthy people? Who is considered the ultra-rich? As it happens, the middle class often gets the short end of the stick while the truly wealthy people get away scot-free with tax exemptions and more.

With Budget 2025, many hoped the subsidies cut for the rich wouldn’t further victimise the middle-class group.

This also led some to want the government to implement the inheritance tax on the ultra-rich.

And since there are race-based policies, some want to know if those who are in need are treated equally or treated based on their race.

via GIPHY

3. Build MRSM in Forest City

When you can’t beat them, join them. There has been criticism about elite families sending their children to schools like MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) and taking the places meant for poor qualified students.

A solution someone proposed was to build special MRSM (probably for elite kids) in Forest City in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

It’s where the rich are supposed to live and play. With their popular school of choice there, they can start re-populating the area and study there too.

4. No cheap healthcare for the rich

The hatred for the rich continues to spew. One user insisted that people in the M40 and T20 groups shouldn’t be able to enjoy cheap and affordable healthcare services.

This is usually brought up during a debate about lessening the crowds in public hospitals. However, this suggestion to exclude the rich seems extreme, isn’t it?

That said, we can always dream of free healthcare and education for all. Who can make it happen? The ultra-rich la. Povvos no money.

5. Raise the minimum wage (again)

All this talk about taxing the rich and removing their subsidies is supposed to help the poor. The poor are not just the ones in the poverty level but also anyone who started with a less than minimum wage.

The current minimum wage has been raised to RM1,500 which is still not enough, to be honest. It’s not even the minimum sum required to support an individual or a family, especially in a city. It’s just the minimum sum an employee can legally pay their employees.

This also ties into the topic of job availability. Students are encouraged to pursue their studies in hopes of better-paying jobs.

However, when they join the workforce, there are sometimes no jobs or they’re paid a pittance. This has made some people believe that higher education is a scam.

It’s not a surprise that youths today look at all these and decide to pursue the next career option: go for gig work or become influencers, key opinion leaders (KOLs), or TikTok stars.

People look down on influencers but think of it this way: they are literally freelancing and starting their own marketing company. It’s a whole new world out there and they are making the best out of a bad situation.

6. Huh?

The people have been burnt by empty promises one too many times so the latest hints about Budget 2025 weren’t exciting for them.

However, a Twitter user admitted they didn’t know there were subsidies for the ultra-rich and asked if the government meant removing blanket subsidies. He has finally woken up and joined the discourse. Better late than never!

What would you like in Budget 2025? Give us wrong answers only in the comments!

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