IN KUALA LUMPUR
IN A week's time, Malaysia's Prime Minister designate Najib Razak will table a mini-budget based on a second stimulus package, in an attempt to revitalise the country’s flagging economy.
The country has shed thousands of jobs in the past few months and many here have been worried that politics were distracting the government from the economic crisis.
When Datuk Seri Najib launched his first stimulus package last November, it was criticised for being too small - at RM7 billion - and too vague.
Now that a second package is coming - to the tune of around RM10 billion to RM15 billion, according to sources - he is taking no chances and has been actively seeking opinions from Malaysians through his blog.
Last week, he revealed that he has received 500 comments and suggestions from his countrymen in one month - a respectable count. Of these, the bulk of suggestions - close to 20 per cent - were on taxes and subsidies, followed by fuel and energy, and automotive and housing.
Mr Najib said that the suggestions were useful and that their input would be analysed to help formulate the package.
"Your contributions have been invaluable in providing me with crucial insights... during these uncertain times," he wrote.
But whether these suggestions can really be implemented is a different issue, analysts say.
"It's probably just a wishlist," noted political science lecturer James Chin. "It's not surprising that most have asked for tax cuts, but you can't plan a budget or package around laypeople's wishes."
Indeed, judging from the comments on the website, a sizeable number of suggestions do not seem feasible.
One netizen asked Mr Najib to "stop part-timers" in the event management industry, saying that part-time companies run their business "like a hobby" with low overheads.
"Their overheads are practically nil. On the contrary, we the real business entities, are losing out because we can't compete with their price," he wrote. "If we keep on losing, then we have to close shop. That causes unemployment. Hope there is a way to stop part-timers."
Another said that he has been unable to set up a business after being declared a bankrupt 10 years ago and asked the government to "write off our debts and... give us a chance to rebuild our lives again".
The more important motive for Mr Najib, Prof Chin speculates, is to show that he is aproachable to the masses.
And whether they will eventually be implemented or not, at least some are appreciating the gesture.
One person wrote on a forum: "Okay you folks in kopitiam, always complain and grumble government bodoh and what not. So now stop talking and share your 'genius' opinion on how to fix the nation."
Even if it is only a symbolic gesture, it is important for Mr Najib to show in little ways like this that he stands apart from his predecessor Abdullah Badawi - who doesn't have a blog - before he is slated to take over the premiership.
"Najib will want to show that he is different," said Prof Chin.