Malaysia Blog

Saw this old couple crossing the road. So loving!

I feel we are in denial that recession is about to hit us. And hit us hard!!

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- The Government is confident Malaysia will not slip into a "technical recession" next year as the RM7 billion stimulus package is sufficient to support the projected 3.5 percent growth next year, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

A technical recession means two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Besides ensuring the 3.5 percent growth, the stimulus would maintain the 4.8 percent fiscal deficit, said Najib who is also Finance Minister.

"The additional RM7 billion stimulus is crucial as we don't want the government to shoulder a very high fiscal deficit though we can afford to increase allocations," he told reporters after being interviewed by RTM in "Rancangan Khas Pelan Penstabilan Ekonomi".

Asked whether the government would provide additional stimulus package, Najib said: "I've said this is not the last time, we don't need to wait for the annual budget as we are facing an extraordinary situation."

Asked on the Opposition's suggestion to slash the budget by RM24 billion, he said: "They tabled a contraction budget, maybe they are still preoccupied with the old ways of thinking like in the 1997 (financial crisis) when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prescription was administered."

"Actually, we should not scale down the budget now. What is important now is the growth (economic) because in the absence of economic

growth, the country will head towards recession," he added.

-- BERNAMA

We need to wake up! I don't want to sound like an alarmist but better overeact and over prepare as it's just too painful to be caught with your pants down. I don't really know what we must do but I'm sure going to cut down spendings and look for extra income wherever I can find it.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will give an answer to Russia by year end whether to send another astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), said National Astronaut Programme Director Kol Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Yusof.

He said Malaysia was lucky as Russia had given its assurance to take one more Malaysian astronaut in 2011 or 2012.

"The opportunity for an astronaut to go to ISS is very limited and precious. So, we must give our answer soon in order to proceed with the programme," he told Bernama Tuesday.

Zulkeffeli said what worried him most was that Malaysia's second astronaut Major Dr Faiz Khaled would probably have to repeat basic training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, as his previous training there is only valid for one year and would expire in October.

He said Dr Faiz is currently free from any programme or training, as a part of the preparation for the space mission in 2011.

-- BERNAMA

Yes. That's good news isn't it. I wonder how many millions will be spent this time.