KUCHING: The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) wants Budget 2025 to prioritise human capital development and sustainable economic growth.
In a statement, it outlined several key areas it believes are crucial for the country’s future prosperity.
“Firstly, asides the usual budget for public services, infrastructure investment and subsidies for low-income group, it is also crucial to prioritise human capital development.
“This is through quality education from the early childhood stage to postgraduate education and training programmes that focus development on personal strength for long term sustainable nation prosperity,” TSI said.
It further said the budget must address the optimum civil servant-to-population ratio and to reallocate human resources for meaningful and greater domestic, global and economic development.
“We also call on the government to bring down inflation and curb rising cost of living for citizens through good government policies to increase supply of goods and services especially basic necessities.
“Malaysia’s abundant resources — land, capital, labour, and entrepreneurship should be harnessed to achieve this,” TSI said.
It added that under the budget, there is a need for programmes that empower citizens to become active contributors to the economy while gradually reducing lavish subsidies and affirmative interventions.
“The budget must also provide for encouraging awareness and advancement of social, economic and political knowledge and development to meet the aspiration of citizens in their desire and pursuit to par with developed nations and reducing to eventually ending dependence on religious institutions on these aspects,” TSI said.
It also suggested a non-partisanship agreement on the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“GST could provide stable revenue to manage national debt and fund development projects.
“However, the impact on consumer prices, inflation, and public sentiment must be carefully considered, along with clear communication and fair implementation,” it said.
