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Budget preparation is a highly technical job and can only be handled by the persons who have the knowledge and experience to do so. As there is no parliament, the budget should be placed well in advance for public debate so that it does not become a burden for the common people. This being a general statement, the budget should also reflect the vision of the nation. Our vision is to become a middle-income nation within, say, 10 years. This time is neither too short nor unrealistic. If we all strive to achieve it, may be this is possible even in a shorter period of time. It is not possible to perform this gigantic task by one man or one group of people. One man is, however, very important-- the progress of Malaysia without Mahathir could not be conceived but he was supported by a diehard team and the nation as a whole.
First of all, we have to find out the thrust sector which will be the driving force to achieve the cherished goal. So in my view education should be our thrust sector and the Ministry of Education should be the “Nerve Centre” for achieving our millennium goal. So, the bulk of budget should go to the education sector. But only allocation of the biggest chunk of budget pie to the education sector will not do the miracle. The Ministry of Education which is the implementing ministry should be well equipped so that they can deliver. The best secretaries, office staff should be posted in that ministry and if required certain extra incentives can be earmarked for them. The minister in-charge should be a dynamic person with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm.
Once the whole nation is educated, if they can handle their own business, if they are able to solve their own problems, if they know how to keep themselves physically fit, if they know what is good for them and what is not, the task of pulling the nation up will become easier.
Now the main problem remains, that is, sourcing out money. As we have more or less a fixed amount to meet the total requirements of the country we have to look for not-so-urgent type of expenditures. The first thing that comes to my mind is defence expenditure. Being a person from the defence services, I don't underestimate the need for improved defensive capability but we can have an effective foreign policy to enhance the security of the country. We must also reduce our huge “establishment costs”. It is revealed through a study that the government does not need such big manpower to run the country. Finally, we must get rid of corruption. Let us face the fact that corruption has penetrated into our society so much so that people have a tacit acceptance of this menace. But we must eliminate it as far as possible.
Given the quality of our people, they are good, intelligent, hardworking, hospitable, and once they are educated the country can aspire to become a truly developed one.