This is not a budget for the common man since not many senior citizens qualify for the 1% income tax reduction. How many people earn RM8,000 and above monthly?

The property gains tax has put us in a quandary. We worked hard and saved to buy houses so that we could put a roof over our heads and now we are being punished for it.

Some of us want to sell our houses to move into small apartments and use the excess money from the sale to maintain ourselves in relative comfort for our remaining years. This will be stolen from us with the property gains tax. Is this the government’s way of rewarding people who have helped to build this country? Is this a government that is caring? Can we call this a people’s budget? Who are the people? Certainly not us senior citizens. The previous property gains tax was much better thought out with its six-year limit. It did prevent speculation and profited people who truly wanted a home. This one, on the other hand, is meant to kill off senior citizens. This budget must have been prepared by young officers for their own benefits.

Much has been said about the tax on credit cards but from the senior citizen’s point of view, I would like to say that this action has taken away a safeguard from purse snatchers and robbers who prey on frail seniors who carry their money when shopping. With the cards, we can make payments within the bank itself and not endanger ourselves. Besides, we are good paymasters. The wise officers in the government could surely think up a way to stop the miscreants and those who run up card debts imprudently without punishing senior citizens who are careful with their limited budget.

Please do not forget senior citizens in your plans.