DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng has urged the government to allocate at least 10% of the budget designated for bumiputera communities to non-bumiputera.
Highlighting past disparities, Lim noted that in Budget 2022 under Perikatan Nasional, RM11.4 billion was allocated to bumiputera, while non-bumiputera received only RM345 million—just 3% of the total allocation.
“I support the allocations for bumiputera, but the percentage for non-bumiputera should increase from 3% to 10%. If RM12 billion is allocated to bumiputera, then RM1.2 billion should go to non-bumiputera,” said the Bagan MP in a statement today.
Raising this issue in the Dewan Rakyat while debating the supplementary budget, Lim stated that such an approach aligns with the Madani government’s commitment to fairness for all Malaysians.
Support for supplementary budget
Lim also backed the RM20.2 billion supplementary budget and the additional RM2.3 billion in development expenditure, acknowledging the need for unanticipated spending amid economic uncertainties.
He attributed Malaysia’s economic challenges to external factors, including the economic policies of US President Donald Trump, China’s slowdown, and declining semiconductor demand.
Economic concerns
Lim expressed concerns over sluggish economic growth, citing:
- Malaysia’s export prices rose just 0.3% in January 2025 compared to December 2024, far below the 5% growth forecast by economists.
- The export volume index declined by 11.6% month-on-month, with a year-on-year increase of 2.7% in the export unit value index, but a 2.4% drop in export volume.
- Vehicle sales plummeted by 40% in January 2025 compared to December 2024, marking a 27% year-on-year decline.
“While the shorter working month due to Chinese New Year and pre-emptive vehicle purchases in December 2024 were factors, the question remains whether sales will recover,” said the former finance minister.
Policy proposals
Given these economic warning signs, Lim stressed the need to ease financial burdens on businesses, particularly SMEs. He reiterated his proposals, including:
- Raising the e-invoicing threshold from RM150,000 to RM500,000 in annual sales.
- Exempting employers from the additional 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers.
- Postponing the floating price mechanism for RON95 petrol.