Budget 2009

* Excise duty specific on cigarettes increased by three sen from 15 sen per stick to 18 sen per stick. With this, the duty for a 20-stick pack of cigarettes is now increased by 60 sen.

Excellent! higher priced ciggies... (This ain't sarcasm, okay) Higher price=less smoking
It's not that i'm against smokers or anything. It's just that I can't stand being around some smoking when i'm there! Especially when i've just washed my hair... very the smelly okay... Plus, you'll kill me with all those carcinogens and stuffssss that blacken my lungs! Lung Cancer! (which will eventually lead to a full fledged battle with cancer=v the suffering lor) Bronchitis! Emphysema! Medical expenses ain't getting cheaper by the day lah!!

* The highest marginal tax rate for individuals be reduced from 28% to 27%, effective the year of assessment 2009. In addition, the marginal tax rate of 13% will also be reduced to 12%, which will benefit the middle income group.

* Government pensioners who had served at least 25 years upon retirement, will receive a pension of not less than RM720 per month, effective Jan 1 2009.

* A bonus of one-month salary, subject to a minimum of RM1,000 for 2008. The bonus will be paid in two instalments, namely in September and December 2008.

Hurray for mummy!!

* RM580mil and RM420mil allocated for Sabah and Sarawak respectively to increase income and enhance quality of life of Malaysians there by improving basic amenities, such as electricity, water and rural roads.
* Allocation of RM3bil to intensify efforts to further develop Sabah and Sarawak for infrastructure projects, including 266 km of federal and rural roads, benefiting more than 550,000 residents.
* An allocation of RM3.3bil is provided for Sarawak to implement various projects, including the construction of 230 km of federal and rural roads, benefiting more than 350,000 residents.

I suppose this is the least they should do since the East Malaysians are so supportive of BN.... but anyway!! yay for SWK! money money come....

* All interest income from savings for individuals be tax exempt.

With that pittance interest that they're giving out for savings account... Even the inflation can beat the money they get... none the less, 1 cent is 1 cent (even is they make the 1cents go bye bye liao but still...)

* Reduce import duties on various consumer durables from between 10% and 60% to between 5% and 30%. These include blender, rice cooker, microwave oven and electric kettle.
Full import duty exemption on several food items, which currently attract import duties of between 2% and 20%. These include vermicelli, biscuits, fruit juices and canned sweet corn.

Now this is relevant. food!!


Improving Public Transportation
* A sum of RM35bil will be expended during the period 2009 to 2014 to improve public transportation.

hmm, 35 billion for 5 years= 7 billion per year....
Now this is good for those taking public transport! But I can't help but notice that a lot of the money goes to the the kl and penang development... Well i guess there are many transportation woes that didn't go unreported?? Lol... this is great news for the locals there though

*The government has proposed a 100 percent exemption of import duty and a 50 percent exemption in the excise duty on new completely built-up units (CBU)), of hybrid cars.

*Malaysians can expect better health facilities and services following the government’s commitment to set aside RM13.7 billion for their enhancement next year.

Oh well i've dug out the ones that are relevant to me, or at least that interest me.
The rest?? Go check newspaper lah if you really want to.