Cheap housing tops Budget 2015 wish list

Potential homebuyers looking at models of housing units.- File picture

PETALING JAYA: More affordable housing tops the list of what the people anticipate for Budget 2015.

Suggestions put forward by Malaysians on social media also call for more attention to be paid to the financial struggles faced by the middle class.

“Definitely affordable homes for the youngsters to purchase!” said Twitter user @milyaterms.

Facebook user Zamir Noor, who sent out a similar message said that it was a serious issue because salaries of most people were low while the cost of living was high. “I’m also expecting more plans for youth, schemes for business, youth programmes for graduates and so on,” he said.

Many also voiced concern on how the Goods and Services Tax (GST) may seriously impact their household expenditure.

Priya Fernandez wrote: “My salary as a mother is about RM3,000 a month but I only take home about RM2,500. I’m very worried about GST.

“If it’s imposed, there should be more tax breaks or widen the basket of GST-free essentials.

“Don’t only take care of the poor. Take care of the middle class too!” she wrote.

“Control prices for necessities like house, cars, electricity, petrol, broadband charges and household items,” wrote Ivy Lam.

Netizens felt that education should be a key area of the Budget’s focus.

“Education aid – make it available even for those 45 years & above. At least in the form of loans,” said user @imesha18 and agreed by @imansyafiqa_.

“No RM50 per month ‘service charge’ for PTPTN loans. The youth are having a hard time paying debts, as pay isn’t that big for us diploma holders.

“And to pursue higher education means more debt,” wrote Becx Ray while Sai Shinii suggested more postgraduate scholarships.

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to announce the plans for the 2015 Budget on Oct 10.

On the Prime Minister’s #Bajet 2015 poll (bit.ly/1uvAKz2), among the “most agreed” suggestions were for the Government to lower personal income tax rates in light of the impending implementation of the GST next year.

Other ideas that received support from those who took part in the poll were for the Budget to focus on middle-income households, limiting the number of personal housing loans to prevent property speculation, building more affordable homes, improving civil service delivery and improving quality in public hospitals.

Rising cost of living was the main concern of the 12,220 respondents who took part in the poll which ended on Sunday.

Employment, housing and urban living, education and social welfare issues, rounded up the top five picks. - The Star