They also trade views on the problems in Felda.
PETALING JAYA: Fierce government critic Rafizi Ramli took on Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Razali Ibrahim in a panel discussion on Budget 2018 which was shown live on the RTM1 channel tonight.
The one-hour programme, moderated by Dahlan Maamor, saw the two giving opposing views on the budget.
Rafizi said there were several issues plaguing the people which needed to be looked into.
“Rising cost of living and goods, employment, salary and foreign workers.
“The Najib administration may have its own plans, but they are not radical enough to solve the economic problems,” he said during the show titled “Bicara Bajet 2018”.
“It is good to give to the rakyat, but there has to be long-term plans that may not be as popular.”
Razali replied that Budget 2018 had taken into consideration the rising cost of living and allocated aid for those in need.
“It is not corruption because Pakatan Harapan’s budget also contained suggestions on giving aid to the people,” Razali said.
He added that micro-credit aid had also been given to help entrepreneurs, farmers and fishermen increase their income.
Rafizi was then asked to explain his earlier remark that the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) should not be administered by politicians.
The Pandan MP said the function of a politician was to balance the needs and demands of the people.
He said it was not good to have politicians helming Felda as they would want support from the people which might affect their judgment.
Razali said he partially agreed with Rafizi.
“It should be about efficiency. It is not about whether the person is a politician, but it should be about whether he loses focus on what needs to be done.”
The Muar MP gave the example of when Shahrir Samad was appointed as Felda chairman. He said Shahrir had asked many people to resign and appointed the relevant people he needed from various departments and agencies.
Shahrir is better than Isa but…
While praising Shahrir over former Felda chairman Isa Samad, Rafizi said: “But the problems could be too deep for Shahrir to settle.”
To this, Razali said Rafizi might not have all the information.
He said several improvements had been made, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had been invited to investigate any abuse.
Both were asked on the land transformation carried out in Felda and the role of state governments.
Rafizi said most of the settlers were rich as they had land, but that the administration had failed them.
Razali meanwhile said the settlers were told to sell their fruits to the government to help them improve their financial status.
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