Upgrading Health Status

50. Health is an invaluable asset. Healthy citizens make for a prosperous nation. In this regard, the Government has always emphasised the need to improve the health of rakyat. A sum of

5.76 billion ringgit has been provided for the year 2001 to continue the construction of a number of new hospitals. Apart from hospitals for regular patients, the Government is also sensitive to the needs

of the mentally ill, in particular with the recent spate of amok cases and the dumping of newborns. Hence, the Government will construct new psychiatric hospitals in Sungei Petani and Johor while Hospital Bahagia Tanjung Rambutan will be expanded to provide treatment and assistance to those needing such treatment. A total of 452 new clinics will be constructed nationwide. In addition, the Government will continue to finance health education programmes which include nutrition and the practice of healthy

lifestyles as well as the control of infectious diseases.

51. The Government also hopes that voluntary non-governmental organisations will come forward to assist the increasing number of kidney patients requiring treatment. To encourage these organisations to set up haemodialysis centres in the states, the Government will provide a matching grant on a ringgit for ringgit basis expended by such organisations for the establishment of these centres. The Government will also provide a subsidy of 50 ringgit to each patient using haemodialysis centres run by voluntary non-governmental organisations. This will involve an allocation of about 10 million ringgit in year 2001.

52. Telemedicine aimed at upgrading the level of rakyat’s general health has been allocated a sum of 10 million ringgit to continue projects that were launched in year 2000. The Government will also equip all hospitals and health clinics with the Total Hospital Information System (THIS). With the implementation of this project, the health sector will be provided with an integrated health information system.

53. To assist families of patients, who cannot afford to pay for medical treatment of serious illnesses, I propose that contributions from individuals and companies for this purpose be allowed as income tax deduction, provided that the contributions are credited into an account approved by the Inland Revenue Board.

54. The public should also be encouraged to take precautionary measures to maintain good health. I propose that tax relief up to 500 ringgit be given to individuals on expenses incurred for complete medical examination. 

Public Housing

55. Housing is a basic facility that needs to be provided at affordable prices to the majority of rakyat either by the Government or the private sector. One of the reasons for the existence of squatters in urban areas and the outskirts is the short supply of affordable houses, particularly for those who have migrated in

search of job opportunities. I therefore, urge private sector employers to fulfil their social responsibility by providing accommodation facilities for their employees.

56. Housing developers should undertake to build houses to meet market demand, in particular low and medium-cost houses. Currently, there still exists a significant overhang in the property sector. The Government has provided assistance in increasing the sales of houses through home ownership campaigns and the provision of various incentives. Developers must be more serious and determined to reduce this overhang. I urge you not to be over zealous in reaping large profits but to reduce prices in order to encourage sales. State Governments, on the other hand, must not be too liberal in approving land conversions. Local governments too, should not, at will, approve the construction of office space and

luxurious condominiums before the property overhang is reduced.

57. To encourage the ownership of houses, the Government will now allow EPF contributors to make withdrawals for the purchase of a second house on condition that they sell the first house. This measure is to enable contributors to upgrade their homes.

58. Efforts to supply low-cost houses will be continued. For this purpose, Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) is given the responsibility of coordinating and implementing all low-cost housing funds which have been established. At the same time, SPNB will also be responsible to address the problem of abandoned housing projects. A sum of 797 million ringgit is provided to finance low-cost housing projects. In this context, the construction of 37 thousand houses to accommodate all squatters in the Federal

Territory of Kuala Lumpur under the Integrated Rakyat Housing Programme, is being accelerated. In two years, the Federal Territory will be free of squatter problems if all enforcement authorities carry out their responsibilities. Similar efforts will be implemented in major towns nationwide.

59. In addition, a large allocation of 770.2 million ringgit is provided for the construction of quarters for teachers as well as the police, armed forces, customs and immigration. For teachers, 341 projects involving 10,252 houses will be constructed. For the armed forces and police personnel, 4,000 houses will be constructed in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur alone.

Rural Development

60. Development programmes to improve the standard and quality of life of the rural community will continue to be implemented. For this purpose, the Government will provide an allocation of 3.08 billion ringgit to implement agricultural projects, development of villages, water and electricity supply as well as

health and education. Of this total, a sum of 856 million ringgit is allocated for the supply of electricity and water as well as the construction of rural and village roads throughout the nation. Electricity supply will be provided for an additional 20,625 houses, benefiting 103 thousand persons while the supply of potable water will be extended to an additional 72 thousand households, benefiting 360 thousand persons. The construction of 4,992 kilometers of rural roads will also benefit close to one million persons.

61. The health of people in rural areas has always been given priority. For this, a sum of 1.74 billion ringgit is provided to enhance health service facilities in rural areas, in addition to the construction of rural and health clinics.

62. A total of 428 secondary and primary schools will be constructed in rural areas. As a measure to narrow the digital gap between the urban and rural areas, 1,262 computer laboratories will be established in rural schools.

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