“What special advice could these people give or what special service can they perform for the country?
“It’s a sheer waste of money when nine highly-paid people continue to prey on the public purse at the expense of the nation. We don’t know what work they are actually doing and what they have contributed so far.”
Shahbudin Husin, the analyst, reeled off the list of nine people who should be dropped by the government: Special Advisors to the Prime Minister with Ministerial Status Abdullah Md Zin (religion), Zainal Abidin Osman (Northern Corridor), Rais Yatim (society and culture), Shahrizat Jalil (women’s development), Noh Omar (Selangor) and Shaziman Abu Mansor (Special Political Advisor replacing the late Jamaluddin Jarjis).
Special Envoys of the Prime Minister with Ministerial Status: S.Samy Vellu (India and South Asia), Ong Ka Ting (China) and Tiong King Sing (East Asia covering Japan, South Korea and Taiwan).
The analyst expressed confidence that the people and the nation would not be affected if these nine people were dropped immediately. “So much can be saved and used for other purposes. Their departure will not affect the people one bit.”
Already, he said, the 36-strong Cabinet for a nation of 30 million people was a huge waste of resources. “After having to put up with such a large Cabinet, we have to put up too with the nine people who have Ministerial Status. Thirty six plus nine comes to 45 Ministers including those with Ministerial Status.”
Shahbudin was commenting on reports that Budget 2016 would be revised once again in the wake of crude oil prices dipping below USD31 per barrel, far from the USD55 per barrel estimated in the National Budget for this year at a time when the price was actually USD48. “For starters, there can be substantial savings for the people if the nine Special Advisors and Special Envoys voluntarily withdraw.”
“We don’t know what can be done about the mammoth Cabinet, even bigger than those in the countries with huge populations.”
The problem facing Budget 2016, pointed out the analyst, was a lack of money given the drastic drop in crude oil prices and the weakening of the ringgit amidst concerns on the global economy which shows no signs of improving in the immediate future. “The experts also say that no recovery can be expected in crude oil prices in the immediate future.”
It’s difficult to see how Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak can revise Budget 2016 and not affect development projects or the people drastically. “He said that GST turned out to be the saviour of the nation with RM30 billion collected by the end of 2015.”
However, stressed the analyst, crude oil prices had dropped so much since GST that not even the new consumption tax can now save the situation. “The government has not enough money even with GST.”
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