Abdullah just unveiled Budget 2008 last week. If anything, it makes an interesting read. I mean, where else would you get all the juicy random facts that tell you how amazing the government is to its people?
I found out that:
- Of the 25 million citizens in the country, only 11 million are working, and of the 11 million, only 1 million pay taxes. Earning RM3200 and below and having a few kids makes your income tax free. So my dad is paying taxes for the benefit of 96% of the community?
- Government scholars overseas get their allowance doubled. They get more than I do already from my dad, and now it is doubled. What are they going to spend it on? Another Gucci bag?
- I can now take out a part of my EPF 'to pay off my mortage'. Considering that houses are very expensive nowadays, it seems logical. But then, most people who NEED the houses would be the young professionals who don't have much in EPF anyways.
- All government school education is going to be free. School books are also going to be free. I went to a government secondary school, and depending how much the teacher likes you, you can also get free textbook loans. I don't see why private schools don't do the textbook loan but get the students to buy books that they may not use. This initiative would be practical, especially for a lot of people, but as I said, a large number of schools have the free text book loans in place prior to this.
It makes for an interesting point to ponder. How well is wealth divided? More importantly, how much spending power is available in the country? I think it is crucial to pay people on par with their compatriots in other countries. The RM3200 that 10 million people live by is not sufficient to provide better opportunities for their children. Besides, paying them more means getting more tax out of them. Now, isn't that a good thing?
4 comments:
Just for the record, not ALL government students overseas. Only "US, UK and Canada". Australia got theirs last year or the year before.
Unfortunately, some people are still waiting....
I know not all government sponsored students end up overseas. The select few that do, are getting a pretty sweet deal, don't you think?
In some parts of the world, the spending money can pay for a maid to clean your student lodging!
Carrots, thanks for the clarrification.. :)
No offence, but i was talking mostly about the ones who end up in those 3 countries.
Well, who said life is fair? But I believe that those selected did their own part and worked hard to get it too. Well, not all of them anyway...
I don't mean to feel sour or jealous or anything... happy for them because I know some were really not getting enough money to live, but at the same time, wishing that I'll get my turn someday too.
It's sort of like when you start seeing your peers getting married one by one. Hehe, hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Probably a bad analogy. :P
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