Pakatan to reveal shadow budget Thursday to 'prevent BN stealing'

The Pakatan Alternative Budget 2014 predicts a 5.2% economic growth and a fiscal deficit of 3.2% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for the country. This is based on a spending of RM262 billion and RM228billion in revenue.

"Ever since Pakatan started preparing our alternative budget, our deficit predictions have always been lower than that of Barisan Nasional's (BN)," said Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He the prediction was based on the global economy in 2014 which is expected to be more robust, but cautioned that the "rather uncertain" economic reality could change things around.

"The BN's real deficit is expected to be higher than our 3.2%, at between 3.8% and 4%. This is because of their failure to address corruption and leakages," Anwar said when announcing the Pakatan budget summary at Parliament.

He said the full alternative budget will only be revealed on Thursday, a day before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tables the government's Budget 2014, over fears that the Federal Government will 'steal our ideas'.

"They have stolen our ideas before this. But if they take these ideas and say thank you to us, that's fine. We don’t want this to repeat," he said, adding that the Pakatan budget was finalised on Sunday.

Anwar said the focus of the alternative budget was to reduce waste and save money. Therefore, he said, the increase in the allowance of cabinet ministers and heads of government departments will be deferred, and a review made on government spending, especially in awarding of contracts and procurement of equipments.

"This will decrease operational costs by 10%," he said.

Under Pakatan's budget, the National Service will be suspended and a thorough review by a parliamentary select committee conducted, as it has allegedly failed its objectives to encourage unity.

"The programme has caused as many as 22 deaths and several trainers got pregnant and gave birth during the programme," said Anwar, adding that it costs RM800 million a year.

Pakatan also suggests to increase 200,000 new jobs in three years, mainly for those between 15 and 24 years.

The shadow budget also suggests a postponement of the much-talked about Goods and Services Tax (GST), until minimum household income is increased.

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Pakatan also suggested a 24-hour Socso (Social Security Organisation) insurance scheme.

"At this time, the Socso insurance scheme only covers accidents when workers are on the way to work and while working."

"With this 24-hour scheme, it allows the Federal Government, employers and employees to contribute RM1 every month," said Lim.