The government is projecting a higher output to the economy despite a lower input, points out Steven Sim.
I have highlighted earlier that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 11th Malaysia Plan was fundamentally flawed because it was built on misguided assumptions on household income, employment data and other economic indicators.
Dr Lee Hwok Aun, an economist from Universiti Malaya also pointed flaws in the government’s GDP growth goal and GNI projection.
11MP will be fueled by more government spending
Government spending is expected to increase in the period of 11MP. In the pipeline are mega projects such as highways including the Pan Borneo Highway, transit systems, flood mitigation projects, housing projects, and other infrastructures such as a regional sewage facility in Perak, and the Pengerang oil and gas G project.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Government services as an economic activity are projected to grow at a rate of 6.3 per cent from 2016 to 2020. In 2010, government services was 7.8 per cent of the GDP. The figure rose to 8.8 per cent in 2014 and is estimated to hit 9.0 per cent in 2020.
While the Prime Minister projected a 5-6 per cent GDP growth in the coming five years, civil service emoluments are expected to grow at a rate of 6.7 per cent. This is another indication of the bigger government we can expect under the 11MP.
Will all these be feasible?
They will only be feasible if government revenue is strong, and the government of course projects a higher revenue in the 11MP. But such a projection is totally unrealistic due to three factors: reduced profits for Petronas, lower GST collection and lower income tax than projected.
Reduced profit for Petronas
As the oil and gas industry faces a historic slowdown, Petronas recorded a 39 per cent lower net profit in the first quarter of this year compared to 2014. The government expects a 10 per cent reduction in Petronas dividend this year. Although sizeable, the reduction is unrealistic if Petronas continues to suffer a 40-50 per cent reduction in profit towards the end of the year due to the halving of the benchmark crude price.
In April this year, Petronas started a cost reduction exercise with its contractors which included a salary reduction of up to 20 per cent. If the situation persists and the government is still squeezing high dividenda from Petronas, the company may soon have to downsize its own operational staff.
GST collection will not be optimum
Due to the shock of introducing GST at 6 per cent, consumer consumption slowed in the months following April 2015 Analyst reports estimated a 20-50 per cent slowdown after GST was implemented. As such, the government has to be prepared for a less-than-optimum collection of GST revenue.
With the weaker ringgit and higher prices in certain consumer markets, consumption will also be affected. Again, this will contribute towards a lower GST revenue than projected.
The only way the government can get around this is to encourage debt-financed spending behaviour in the consumer market – which will be detrimental to the people given the already soaring household debt.
Income tax projection is unrealistic
Finally, the government is also projecting a higher direct tax revenue from 49.5 per cent of revenue in 2010 to 62.9 per cent of revenue in 2020. This would mean increased company tax and personal income tax collections.
With an average monthly income today of RM2,000 and 50 per cent of Malaysian workers earning below RM1,500 monthly (Statistics Department, August 2014), such a projection of income tax collection is unrealistic when taxable income begins above RM4,000.
In order to squeeze the most out of the current tax base, the government may resort to massive witch-hunting for tax evaders. The fear is of course the victimisation of small companies and the working class.
11MP is totally unrealistic by projecting higher output despite lower input
It is obvious that 11MP is a house built of cards. The government is projecting a higher output to the economy despite a lower input.
Not only has he failed to inspire Malaysians to be excited about this crucial five-year plan, which will steer us in this final mile towards Vision 2020, Prime Minister Najib is offering Malaysians a false hope, or worse, a big lie in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan.
Steven Sim is the MP for Bukit Mertajam.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
