COMMENT | Budget 2021 is a rousing controversy for its disproportionate allocation of funds for Malaysia’s ethnic groups.

As widely reported, bumiputera-targeted programmes stand to receive RM11.1 billion, dwarfing the RM530 million or so designated for non-bumiputera causes. The Indian community, whose urban average household income is basically equal to that of urban bumiputera households, receive a mere RM120 million.

Selayang MP William Leong has publicly denounced the budget because it lacks inclusiveness and solidarity and propagates ethnicity-based policies. Penang-based NGOs have protested the meagre assistance for the Indian community. Voices have weighed in, some lambasting the government for failing to present a “Malaysian budget”.

These concerns, and the underlying anger and disappointment, are understandable. In the face of pandemic and recession, all Malaysians facing hardship should be assisted...