Chit-Chat on 2nd Stimulus Package/ 第二刺激经济配套的回响

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend 3 night functions and the topic for chit-chat at the dining table was on the 2^nd stimulus package.

Generally, people are relieved that the government is aware of the need to take drastic action to prevent recession, which may arrive in the first half of this year. It is comforting to find out that the leadership is not in denial. It is a good sign that the government is taking steps in confronting the economic slowdown. However, the rakyat are generally concerned about the budget deficit and this may in a way destabilizes the Ringgit currency against foreign currency.

For the Chinese community, they are generally happy that the 2 stimulus packages has special allocations for Chinese schools and this shows that the government has discarded the practice of giving allocations only during election to Chinese schools.

The double levy imposed on foreign workers has not gone down well with the industries, especially the service sector. It is hoped that the service sector which faces double levy should be implemented on new foreign workers rather than existing foreign workers who may be renewing their visa soon. This will reduce the financial burden of the service sector and at the same time be a deferent to engage new foreign workers.

Generally, people are not excited about the RM5000 discount on purchase of Proton and Perodua cars. With Puspakom having to certify the cars before the trade in and it must be 10 years old, it will not be a booster to automotive sector.

There is generally disappointment that there is no reduction in personal income tax or corporate tax. However, one must not forget that with these 2 stimulus packages, the federal government deficit will increase from 4.8% to 7.8% this year. This will lead to a fall of our credit rating at the international level.

The government needs to continue to make our Malaysia economy more competitive. As the service sector is identified as the next engine of growth, the liberalization of the economy is important if we want to invite more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). A lot of condition laid by the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) needs to be revamped.

There should be a total review of the quota system of the Bumiputra. Competition for FDI will be intense among developing countries and if we are still talking about quota, then we may be left out as the preferred destination for FDI.

上周末，我出席了3场饭局，座上的谈话无不围绕在刚公布的第二项刺激经济配套。

一般而言，政府有意识地采取高效行动以遏止我国经济在今年上半年衰退的动作，让人民松了一口气。

最让我们感欣慰的，是领导层并没有否认这个事实。事实上，政府采取遏止经济放缓措施，是好的迹象。然而，人民普遍上还是非常关注赤字预算案，因为在某种程度上这会影响马币兑外币的价值。

华裔社会普遍上很高兴看到第二项振兴经济配套有为华校发放特别拨款，这显示政府已经改变以往做法，不再只在选举时才拨款给华校。

外劳人头税调提高一倍的措施，并不受各领域特别是服务业看好。企业界希望，这项措施只应用在新聘请外劳，而非向现有但要更新签证的外劳实施，这样可减轻服务业的财务负担，同时借此设立引进新外劳的机制。

一般看来，人们对“旧车换购新国产车获回扣5千令吉”计划，也不怎么振奋。这项计划的附带条件，就是旧车车龄至少10年，而且换购前必须获得电脑验车中心（PUSPAKOM）检验及核证。我不认为这样有助于刺激国产车的销量。

此外，个人所得税或公司税方面没有调降，也令人们失望。况且，这项振兴配套已经令政府今年度赤字从4.8%提高至7.8%，足以使我国的国际信贷评级降级。

政府要继续努力，让马来西亚经济更具竞争力。服务业已经被鉴定为带动经济成长的火车头，如果我们要吸引更多外来直接投资，经济自由化至为重要。很多由外资委员会设定的条件需要修改。

此外，我们也应该彻底检讨土著配额制。事实是，发展中国家正激烈争取外来直接投资，我们若还继续谈配额制，自无法成为外资的属意投资目标。