Proactive action enables Government to "give back" to the people - Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government's proactive move to reinforce the country's economic defence had enabled it to "give back" to the people in the Budget 2016.

He cited the enforcement of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and subsidy rationalisation as among the proactive actions taken by the government.

He said external factors such as the fluctuating global economy, China's economic contraction, rising US dollar and glaring fall in oil prices had reduced the country's earnings by RM30 billion from the oil and gas sector.

In this situation, such as what happened during the Asian financial crisis in 1997, development expenditure and operational expenditure are lessened, he said.

"We can still implement programmes because we had taken proactive measures and made precise decisions.

"When we introduced the rationalisation subsidy and GST, whatever we have promised, we return to the people," he said at the monthly assembly for the Prime Minister's Department here today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, had tabled the Budget 2016, themed, 'Prospering the Rakyat' at the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 23.

At the Department's monthly assembly, he underscored the five thrusts in the Budget 2016 to strengthen the national economy; increase productivity, innovation and green technology; generate human capital; empower the Bumiputera agenda, and lighten the cost of living of the people.

The premier also called on civil servants in the respective ministries and agencies to carry out their responsibilities with the five thrusts in mind.

"In this way, if we work together as a team, we will be able to face any challenge.

"Increase our efforts and productivity, strengthen cooperation network among ministries and the administration and Malaysia will succeed in any circumstances," he said.

In the Budget 2016, Najib announced a special aid of RM500 for about 1.6 million civil servants, while 700,000 pensioners would get RM250.

He also announced that civil servants would receive an additional increment besides the annual increment according to grade, through an allocation of RM1.1 billion.

About 10,000 contract officers who have at least served 15 years in the civil service would also be appointed to the permanent scheme.