Well, it was a post-election budget. Over the last 4 years preceding the election, we have been hearing all sorts of goodies being announced in the budgets. Now, it is time to get real! It is very obvious that the government is running out of money and they need to find ways to get back the money. The implementation of GST is to broaden the tax base. Only less than 10% of the workforce paying taxes at the moment. Personally, I feel GST is inevitable and it was first mentioned in 2007 budget for implementation in 2009. As usual, due to political situation after 2008 election, the GST was deferred and deferred again till after the 2013 election. However, for our PM to say that it is just a replacement for Sales and Service tax (SST) is only for idiots to believe! GST will be applied to everything that you buy except those that are exempted where as the current SST only applicable for certain items, especially restaurants. BTW, I thought BN promised a RM 1000 BRIM twice for 2014 in their manifesto but unfortunately, only RM 650 was announced! Another janji dicapatikan?
As for the health sector, I did not see anything interesting. For sure, 50 more 1Malaysia clinics will be built ( in addition of the already existing 231 clinics). More GPs will go bankrupt! No new hospital is being planned. Only those which are under construction were mentioned, such as Tanjung Karang, Shah Alam, Tampin and Rompin hospitals. To overcome the “unemployment” of nurses, 6 800 new posts will be created. This is pathetic to say the least. Each state will get about 500 post and if you further divide it to all the hospitals and health centres, how many additional nurses will each get? BY the year 2017, the same might be said about doctors, I guess. Car parks for HKL seem to be so important that it has to be mentioned in National Budget! Are we being taken for a ride by this year’s budget? Everything looks like a joke! Of course, I do support the removal of sugar subsidy. We are the “sweetest” nation in the world.
The personal income tax will be reduced by 1-2 %and company tax will also be reduced. The highest personal income tax bracket will be increased to RM 400K compared to RM 100k currently. Somehow, I feel that it is only going to make the rich, richer. For those who do not understand why I say this, please read this book: ” Rich Dad Poor Dad”. This is one book that should be thought in schools so that the students don’t get obsessed in doing medicine thinking they are going to make big money! Our schools never teach financial literacy………
Well, health sector will be exempted from GST. Nothing mentioned about the 1Care system. I was informed that it is deferred again due to political reasons and the fact that GST is more important to be implemented at the moment.
But then, the public should not be so worried. WE have Tune Hospitals on the way. You can book your consultation with a doctor 6 months ahead for Rm 10. Every additional 5 min consultation, you will be charged RM 50. Please do not “walk in” as you will have to pay full rate. Please bring your own bed sheath, soaps, fan and meals if you get admitted. You can get admitted with Rm 20/room. You need to book 6 months ahead and please decide when you will fall sick. Emergencies will need to pay full rate please! All medications will be locally made generics or from another third world country. If you want original, please pay extra. Consultants will be employed and not-self employed as per other hospitals. Quality of service will be better than the public hospitals. The more you talk/complain, the more you pay. The more investigations you request without doctors order, the more you pay………….. and the lists goes on…………….
Now , everyone can afford a private healthcare………….
hasta la vista babe……………….
Fernandes’ healthcare dream – to set up Tune Hospital
Eva Yeong
sunbiz@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 24, 2013): Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, the founder of the Tune Group of Companies, is eyeing a new frontier – healthcare.
In his presentation to participants of the World Capital Markets Symposium on “Disruptive innovation: The Future of Business” here yesterday, Fernandes said it is a dream of his to set up Tune Hospital.
Indeed, he said plans for Tune Hospital are “a little bit further than the conceptualisation stage now”.
Fernandes, via Tune Group, is already involved in aviation, hotel, telecommunication, financial services and sports, among others.
“My last dream one day is to build Tune Hospital. (Today,) the difference in efficiency between state and private hospitals is huge. The state (hospitals) can’t serve everyone. Invariably, lots of people get caught out, getting poor service,” he said, adding that some hospitals are “a bit old fashioned” in the way things are done.
“Malaysia is a young nation and as it ages, healthcare will become a very big part of the nation’s budget.
“If we can find something that is slightly more expensive than state, but 80% cheaper than private health, you can take a lot of the burden off the state system,” Fernandes said.
Later, on Budget 2014 that will be tabled in Parliament tomorrow, Fernandes hopes that it would have an element to reward productive companies and industries.
“I hope the budget supports productive industries. It’s a reality that something has to be done (to address deficit), either raising taxes or cutting spending. The third one, which is a much more preferred option is to increase productivity and support entrepreneurs who can drive a lot in this economy and create a lot of jobs, and more taxes through better productivity.
“I hope there’s an element that rewards companies that can create jobs,” he told reporters after his presentation.
Fernandes cited the tourism sector which has been a “fantastic contributor” to the economy.
“One very simple thing is to break down monopolies, to create fair and well-regulated markets. The banking industry has done a good job at this – to inject more competition into the market and to make companies more productive. It’s lacking in some areas but the banking industry is very good at this,” he added.
He said Malaysians have to be aware of the need to cut the country’s budget deficit and the fairest way of doing so is to introduce the goods and services tax (GST) as he believes that with GST, those who spend more will pay.
Meanwhile, Fernandes said AirAsia Bhd plans to make Kota Baru an international stop, with its maiden flight to be to Medan. This will be followed by flights to Singapore and later Indochina.
Lol at tune hospital…
I think only public healthcare is exempted from GST but not the private healthcare. Business revenue with turn over of less than 500k per annum will not be subjected to GST so I guess most GP clinics will be exempted. Thus those who visit the big hospital will likely be charged GST which I think is fair enough. Tune Hospital idea is probably not workable because Tony ,ay be able to control the hospital cost but not the doctor cost as there is tendency of doctor to go for higher income rather than fixed income.
Based on the Budget yesterday and from LHDN site here, all private healthcare services are exempted from GST.
I don’t think you can control the hospital cost either
If I can talk to Tony Fernandez….i would ask him kickstart an affordable Retirement Homes for the lower & middle class….I mean tie-up affordable private hospitals with Retirement Homes. Affordable retirement homes are grossly lacking in Malaysia.
We have enough private hospitals and 1M Clinics….so Malaysia really dont need more private hospitals.
But I guess his main intention is to MAKE MORE MONEY. To Mr Tony F…you cant take all your money with you when u “leave this world”….how about leaving a legacy..with TUNE RETIREMENT HOME & HOSPITALS for the OLD FOLKS..
He is a business man!
a businessman can also do some good to the society and old folks,if Tony does believe in charity to the old and neglect.
Tony Fernandes is the product of the Rich Dad Poor Dad book. hahaha!
Yup, they know how to make money
Yup! I believe those who seek for money should learn from him🙂
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