I refer to the Malaysiakini report Analysts sceptical over stimulus.

I am not an expert in financial or economic analysis. I am just a commoner from the middle- income group. But I try my best to be knowledgeable about the global economic crisis and its impact on Malaysia’s economy.

From what I can see and gauge, the stimulus plan announced by our deputy prime minister -cum-finance minister does not appear to give much hope.

It is important for the government to explain in detail (with examples and illustrations) to make the people, especially the lower and middle working classes, understand how all this RM60 billion is going to help them.

People who are fighting for survival to keep a hold on their ‘bread and butter’ are not interested in all the technical jargon such as fiscal injection, guarantee funds, equity investment, private finance initiatives, off-budget projects etc. etc.

All they want to know is how this stimulus plan will be implemented and how it will benefit them, directly and/or indirectly and in what sort of time frame.

Thousands of people have already lost their jobs and tens of thousands more are expected to lose their jobs in the coming months. Of course, the government talks about retraining them and creating new job opportunities through some new projects.

While it may be possible that a portion of these people who lost their regular income can find some meaningful new employment within months, a large portion of them could remain unemployed for a long time.

These people have to keep ‘readjusting’ their lives until the economy improves and they are gainfully employed again. The government should be seriously concerned about their food, housing, health and transportation needs.

And what about the thousands of new entrants to the job market – fresh graduates and school leavers?

It must be remembered that not all school leavers go on to pursue further education straightaway. Thousands of new school leavers are desperate for jobs, not so much as a choice but more as a necessity in order to supplement the income of their parents or guardians.

Due consideration must be given to the plight of these people also.

Reviving the economy is not just about coming up with some colorful statements and plans. The government should keep all politicking aside and ensure that its policies and plans are sincere and will benefit the nation at large and not just a select few or a particular section of the society.

All government leaders should stay focused and ensure that plans and programmes to revive the economy are given top priority and implemented as a matter of urgency.

Any delay and a lackadaisical attitude will lead to a chain of undesirable results and the nation could suffer irreparable and permanent damage to its economic as well as political stability.

The key element of the stimulus plan, therefore, is its sincere execution with speed, efficiency and transparency.