Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has dared Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to an open debate on their respective budgets............

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid, FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has dared Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to an open debate on their respective budgets in response to the latter’s accusation that Pakatan Rakyat’s alternative financial plan was “right-wing”.

Anwar, the former deputy prime minister and finance minister, said that Najib, as finance minister, is more than capable of debating on the matter.

He said that an open debate was the best way for voters to decide whose budget is better rather than taking potshots via government-owned media.

Najib, in his speech to Gerakan members attending their party’s annual general assembly yesterday, labelled Pakatan’s 2012 alternative budget as a “right-wing Republican budget that failed to address the needs of the people”.

“He shouldn’t be criticising our budget only through their (government) media… he should be able to defend our criticism of his budget as he is the finance minister.

“He is more than capable of presenting his case (in the open debate),” Anwar told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

The budget row between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan has taken a front seat as both are trying to use their respective budgets as an election push as national polls is expected to be held within the next six months.

BN has used the same argument on the federal opposition’s “Orange Book” financial policies against Pakatan’s budget, accusing it as populist and unworkable while the latter claimed Najib’s 2012 spending plans are aimed at buying votes.

Among key plans in Najib’s budget are cash handouts to the poor and increasing money for civil servants – working and retired staff – which are seen as ways to retain support from BN’s traditional votebank.

Breaching the debt ceiling

Anwar said the “irresponsible” spending in the 2012 Budget is set to put Malaysia on course to breach the national debt limit.

In Bank Negara Malaysia’s latest report issued on Oct 14, Anwar said the country’s national debt currently stood at RM437 billion (as of June 30, 2011), with domestic debt amounting to RM421 billion and foreign debt at RM16 billion.

“This translates to a 51% local debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio as governed by Acts 637 and 275, which allows for approximately RM33 billion additional debt to be raised by the government (before the limit is reached),” he said.

Anwar said this meant Putrajaya has insufficient funds to finance the remainder of the 2011 expenditure while the RM46 billion deficit will be funded through additional debts.

Comments (4)...

written by savemalaysia, October 17, 2011 21:13:28

I can guarantee that Najis will not hv the courage and ball to debate openly whatever topic, because he will be caught pants down and he will not be able to answer many mismanagement and corruption cases. He only dare to talk big and loud during kampung ceremahs. ...

written by gurjit, October 17, 2011 20:45:35

DSAI,i know that you are good in Financial Management for the RAKYAT,SIR.This Barisan Najis maggots are only good in Finanial Mismanagement by ROBBING us RAKYAT!No one in bn has got balls to debate with you or any other person here.Now for them is to take,steal,swindle n cheat before bn falls!My dear MALAYSIANS it's time for CHANGE.Lets DO IT! ...

written by Crook ed and incompetent Najib, October 17, 2011 19:50:03

Najib does not even dare to attend court and mis-use his power to manipulate the Kangaroo courts to cover all his crimes and murdering....

Prime Sinister Najib C4 Rosmahma is incapable, mediocre, incompetent , incredible and unethical and has no Integrity at all ...

written by umno is going down, October 17, 2011 19:17:17

he doesnt even dare appear in court

as if he would dare explain to the malaysians who would be paying the excessive debts he has taken up to make the budget look good to people with smaller brain than he has (hard to imagine)

najib reaps the benefit of borrowed money as it will stay in his pocket whilst the rakyat needs to pay the debts

if someone has told u there is no such thing as free lunch in this world, that is only because your name is not najib and u dont have skin as thick as cow