'People To Expect More Benefits In 2013 Budget', New Straits Times, 12 June 2012

'People to expect more benefits in 2013 Budget' Universiti Sains Malaysia's School of Social Science deputy dean, Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said at the heart of the 2013 Budget would be the eurozone crisis, as Malaysia could also be affected. "The budget needs to explore initiatives, especially for those below the poverty line as they would be hit hardest by any potential crisis," he told the New Straits Times yesterday. He said the previous budget initiatives such as the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) and Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) should be continued, besides introducing more benefits for single parents and the needy. Sivamurugan also said groups like the civil and private sectors needed to be looked after as they could also be affected by the economic crisis. "Workers, especially those with large families and schoolgoing children, will want reassurances from the government. Infrastructure development can take a back seat for now. The government should focus on improving its services." Read more: 'People to expect more benefits in 2013 Budget' - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/people-to-expect-more-benefits-in-2013-budget-1.93537#ixzz1xXE96ta9