GOVERNMENT HAS MECHANISM TO ENSURE PEOPLE LIVE COMFORTABLY, SAYS MINISTER

SEBERANG JAYA (Malaysia), Sept 8 (Bernama) -- The government has its
own mechanism in determining its budget to ensure the people are able to live comfortably and not be burdened with financial problems, Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop said.

He said the government was always looking for the right mechanism to
provide a comfortable and prosperous living for the people despite the globalphenomenon on the increase in prices of goods, which is under control.

"The government has sufficient revenue to disburse the payment of RM1.5
billion in bonus for the two million civil employees, as tabled in the 2009
Budget last month," he told reporters after presenting essential goods to 249
single mothers here Sunday.

He said the bonus of one month's salary, subjected to a minimum of RM1,000,
would be paid in two instalments, end of this month and in December.

"Last year, there was no bonus because there was the salary increament for
government employees," he added.

He said the 2009 Budget presented by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
was an effort by the government to reduce the people's financial burden.
--BERNAMA