Despite calls for the government and opposition to close ranks amid trying economic times, politicians on both sides of the divide took to the social media to hit at each other after the restructure to Budget 2015 was announced today.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had this morning urged for the opposition to support the government's announcement to address the country's falling revenue due to the global oil price crash and the weakening ringgit.

However, DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming pointed out that the BN government had excluded the opposition on the matter from the beginning.

"Invite us to your budget update lah," said Ong on Twitter in response to Zahid's call.

Meanwhile, DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong described the revised budget, which projected oil price to be US$55 per barrel, akin to an ostrich burying its head.
As criticism from the opposition about the revised budget falling short, Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang took to Twitter, urging the government to ignore the opposition.

"The government today cut budget (for operational expenditure) by RM5.5 billion in view of falling oil revenue.

"That is the right move. But why the opposition still condemning? Be sensible.

"Best thing for the government to do is to ignore DAP," he said in a series of postings.

Meanwhile, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan mocked the opposition's constant objection against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), pointing out the extra revenue will now help Malaysia to weather the economic storm.
NGOs, too, appear divided in their opinion about their revised budget.

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan said some of the budget measures may be opened to abuse.

"The government’s plan to intensify import-substitution services and to prioritise local vendors for government and government-linked companies procurement are worrying.

"There is a lot of rooms for leakages in these areas," he said in a statement today.

Instead, Wan Saiful said the government should look into deeper cuts into operational expenditure and downsizing the Prime Minister's Department.

However, the Malaysia Economic Action Council (MTEM) hailed the government's plan to prioritise local vendors in procurement.

"This will help to intensify growth for the country's economy and local market," said MTEM chief executive officer Mohd Nizam Mahshar (left).

However, he too stressed that there must be oversight to avoid leakages.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) said the revised budget of 3.2 percent deficit target and 4.5 to 5.5 percent gross domestic product growth was feasible and achievable.

CPPS senior director Ng Yeen Seen said the revision is business and people-friendly.

"Hopefully, there will be fair disbursement of funds based on needs amidst the political reality on the ground," she added.