I HOPE that the tabling of Budget 2009 will pleasantly surprise me.

Last year's budget was focused more on expenditure than development.

My opinion is that we need to reduce expenditure and focus more on development.

When I say development, I mean addressing the urgent need to improve the public transport system to help the rakyat cope with the effects of the recent fuel hike and the increase in the overall cost of living.

Compared with neighbouring countries, our nation has yet to announce any significant investments to improve the public transport system. So I'm very anxious to see how much the government will allocate for it.
In Bandar Kuching, the buses are old and uncomfortable and they are never on time.

Because of this, many of my constituents feel that they cannot depend on public transport. They feel they have no choice but to buy cars.

An average family owns two cars and a big portion of their income is spent on fuel. They have to cut back on other things.

Security is also an issue in my constituency. However, I do not think the problem is due to the shortage of police officers, rather it lies in assigning duties.

There is a need to reshuffle, so that more police officers can be placed in high density areas.

This is my second term holding the title "Yang Berhormat". Much has changed since my first term in the house.

Before, I felt like an endangered species since there were so few opposition members in the house.

Now the situation is more colourful as we have more MPs from the opposition, which encourages lively debate. I think this is healthy as it provides an opportunity for checks and balances.

Although I consider myself to be quite new to the political scene, I hope that I will be able to contribute positively as an elected representative and become an example to the younger generation.