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Abdullah should personally present the huge fourth 2002 supplementary estimates totaling RM22.1 billion in Parliament tomorrow to also give the government's first policy statement on its contingency plan and the effects of the Iraq war on the Malaysian economy, especially with indications that the Iraq war would be longer and even more damaging to global economy than earlier envisaged in worst-case scenarios Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang (Petaling Jaya,  Sunday): Acting Prime Minister and Acting Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should personally present the huge fourth 2002 supplementary estimates totaling RM22.1 billion in Parliament tomorrow to also give the government's first policy statement on its contingency plan and the effects of the Iraq war on the Malaysian economy, especially with indications that the Iraq war would be longer and even more damaging to the global economy than earlier envisaged in worst-case scenarios. There are three important reasons why Abdullah should make a personal appearance in Parliament tomorrow to table the supplementary estimates and give his first policy statement as Acting Finance Minister, and not delegate it to his subordinates, whether the second Finance Minister, Deputy Finance Minister or parliamentary secretary, viz: the gravity of the crisis precipitated by the Iraq war to the economic situation, (now aggravated by the SARS outbreak), both for the Malaysian as well as global economy; the huge allocation of RM22.1 billion in the fourth 2002 supplementary estimates, representing 22% of the original 2002 budget of RM100.5 billion and making it probably the biggest allocation ever sought in any supplementary estimates in the nation's history; and to set an example to all Cabinet Ministers that their parliamentary appearances must rank as among their most important Ministerial responsibilities to stop the deplorable Malaysian Cabinet practice of degrading and diminishing Parliament by frequently delegating their parliamentary duties to deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries. There are at least three important issues which Abdullah should address when presenting the fourth 2002 supplementary estimates tomorrow: An undertaking that the post-Iraq war economic stimulus package would be presented to Parliament as a mini-budget for debate and approval, unlike the two previous economic stimulus packages in 2001, one for RM3 billion and the second for RM4.3 billion, which were presented outside Parliament. There is no reason why the post Iraq-war economic stimulus package should not be presented to Parliament when it is in session, especially as the government had started to prepare for the package as far back as last year. A statement of audit and accountability for the two previous economic stimulus packages in 2001, in view of the widespread concern of extensive abuse and misuse public funds and gross wastage, ranging from ten to as high as 50 per cent of the RM7.3 billion allocated in the two packages; and assurance of efficiency and integrity in the post-Iraq war package which is expected to be bigger than the two previous packages. The current parliamentary meeting should be extended to allow for a full parliamentary debate on the crisis to the Malaysian and global economy precipitated by the Iraq war. Declaration of a national war against "First World Infrastructure, Third World Mentality" which is a great impediment to Malaysia's economic development and progress. In fact, no measure could have a greater economic stimulus to the country than the launching of such a nation-wide war against "First World Infrastructure, Third World Mentality" Malaysian malaise. DAP offers full co-operating in combating and eradicating "First World Infrastructure, Third World Mentality" which undermines Malaysia's international competitiveness and the efficiency and productivity of the Malaysian economy. (30/3/2003) * Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chairman