LETTER | Budget 2024 gives a glimmer of hope

LETTER | Budget 2024 is generally comprehensive as it includes the shift to a low-carbon economy and forms of sustainable energy.

The budget also touched on wildlife conflict, environmental conservation and preservation - besides the extension of stage bus services to low-passenger routes in rural areas.

Plans are afoot to provide a clean water supply, particularly in Kelantan, Sabah and Labuan.

This is the way to go because, in 2002, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted its general comment No. 15 on the right to water, defining it as the right of everyone “to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses”.

We also support the proposed excise duty on sugary drinks to be increased from 40 cents to 50 cents because, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, 3.6 million adults (18 and above years) had diabetes with 49 percent (3.7 million) cases undiagnosed.

Proceeds of the excise duties will be used to treat diabetes and support dialysis centres which is a good move.

The tightening measures to prevent the smuggling of liquor products by restricting their transhipment to certain ports is commendable, just as the imposition of cigarette imports for the domestic markets is being allowed with full container loads.

Budget allocations, however, must be spent efficiently without any leakages. There must be effective overseeing and monitoring of the way the budget allocations are spent to ensure the planned outcomes are achieved.

We look forward to seeing the success of the implementation of the budget. This year’s budget is well thought out, covering the most critical aspects of Malaysian society.

Writer is president of Consumers' Association of Penang.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.