There are fierce fights between BN and Pakatan Rakyat and “Populism” that pleases the people. Pakatan Rakyat offered free water supply, rice distribution for the poor, appropriation for private schools and land tax exemption for schools while the BN government is able to offer only selective advantages as the tax revenue has been reduced, sending it to the disadvantageous position.

The 2010 Budget has made it very clear that the country aspires to be a high-income country. Perhaps, Malaysians can look forward to more comfortable life henceforth.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged the Federal government to review the proposed special tax rate of 15 per cent for knowledge workers in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor.

The Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry will announce the fuel subsidy management mechanism system early next year at the latest.

The Finance Ministry is expected to come up with an exemption order on the Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) this week to clear the confusion surrounding the RPGT proposal.

What has concerned you most over the previous week? Is it the MCA's dramatic great unity or the shocking Auditor-General Report 2008? The MCA crisis is still full of variables while the Auditor-General's Report is just a toothless tiger.

All new rural projects, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, will only be implemented based on the needs of the grassroots and not on the implementing agencies' senior management's.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein will ensure the ministry fully utilises its RM3.7 billion allocation in the 2010 Budget to increase the efficiency of the police and security personnel.

The public should be imbibed with awareness programmes to wean them from the 'subsidy mentality'.

The real property gains tax (RPGT) will be fixed at five percent on the gains from the disposal of real property effective 1 January 2010.